“Forming A More Perfect Union”

A Loose Confederation

It was hard to write a Constitution that all states would approve of.

Certain states were reluctant to give up power to a “central government”

The Articles of Confederation created a loose alliance of the 13 independent states.

This was our government from 1776-1788.

The Articles of Confederation

Under the Articles of Confederation, the states could send representatives to Congress.

Each state had one voteCongress could

declare warappoint military officers create coin moneywere also responsible for foreign

affairs.

Congress could not tax or raise money - no state could be forced to contribute

funds.

The Articles included no president to execute laws. It was up to the states to enforce laws passed by Congress.

States often fought with one another. New Hampshire and New York fought over

who owned Vermont Money issues were becoming serious

concerns

Their powers were limited..

Many states thought the Articles of Confederation did not work

A convention was held (Philadelphia Convention)

Met in May of 1787It was a very hot summer

A Call for Change

Great Compromise

Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan

Fill out your chartReference pages 164-165

Great Compromise:Large States Small States

3/5 CompromiseSouthern

delegates wanted slaves to be

counted as part of their state

population (this would give them

more representatives

and more power in Congress)

Northern wanted the number of slaves to be used to determine taxes ($$$), but not representatives. (this would collect more taxes w/o giving up power in Congress)

Only 3/5 of a state’s slave population would count when determining representation

Across the nation, Americans discussed the new constitution, and decided some extra things needed

to be added. (This is where the amendments, or the “buts” come in)

Anti-federalists: want to add more “rights” to the Constitution. (After all, the Americans had just fought a Revolution to protect their freedoms.)

Federalists: it would be impossible to list all of the rights of the people. They figured the Constitution protected the citizens well enough.

Federalists Vs. Antifederalists

In the end, it was the anti-federalists who won and knew that eventually if their rights weren’t spelled out, they

would be ignored.

Winner!!!

List of freedoms that the government promises to protect. The first 10 Amendments of the U.S Constitution

Bill of Rights

Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assemble and Petition. “Congress may not abridge or limit, the

freedom to speak and write freely. The gov’t may not censor, or review, books and newspapers before they are printed. This amendment also protects the right to assemble or hold public meetings”

1st Amendment

Can Congress require that every citizen has to follow a certain religion?

NO!

The Right to Bear Arms

A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms.

Each state has its own right to maintain a militia, an armed force for its own protection. Today, the militia is the Nation Guard.

2nd Amendment

Lodging Troops in Private Homes

“No Soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, with-out consent of the owner; nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law”

3rd Amendment

Search and Seizure

“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated”

Warrants must be issued with probable cause

4th Amendment

If a police officer is walking down the street and wants to search your house, can he?

He must have a search warrant from a judge, showing probable cause.

NO!

Rights of the AccusedCapital Crimes- ones that can be punished with

death. Infamous Crimes- those that can be punished with

prison or loss of rights

NO DOUBLE JEOPARDY- a person cannot be tried twice for the exact same crime- unless a court sets aside a conviction because of legal error.

A person cannot be forced to testify, or give evidence against himself or herself. “I plead the fifth”

5th Amendment

Right to Speedy Trial by JuryIn all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall

enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial , by a nonbiased jury of the state and district where the crime was committed.

The jury must hear both sides of the story before making a decision.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, you will be provided with one.

6th Amendment

Jury Trial in Civil CasesPeople suing people (Judge Judy, Judge Joe

Brown)Any lawsuits with the value of $500 has the

right to be tried by jury.An appeals court cannot change a verdict

because it disagrees with the decision of the jury.

Has to go to the Supreme Court (state or federal)

7th Amendment

Bail and PunishmentBail- money the accused leaves with the court

as a pledge to appear for trial. If the accused does not appear for trial, court keeps the money.

Excessive bail is illegal, along with cruel and unusual punishment. - Excessive means too high, no court is allowed to

impost unreasonably high bail.

8th Amendment

Powers Reserved to the People- The rights in the Constitution apply to

everyone, these are not all of our rights, we have more that are not listed.

This amendment was added because people feared that the Bill of Rights would be used to limit rights to those actually listed.

9th Amendment

Powers Reserved to the States

Gives power to the states to decide.What does not belong to the federal

government, belongs to the states. Purpose is to limit the powers of the federal

government.

10th Amendment

Who makes the laws on speed limits?The Federal Government, or The State of Michigan?

THE STATE OF MICHIGAN

The Constitution contains a preamble (introduction)

What else is in the Constitution?

We the People of the United States, in Order to

form a more perfect Union, establish Justice,

insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general

Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to

ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and

establish this Constitution for the

United States of America.

-Descriptions of the separate branchesStates rights-How to ratify (change) the Constitution.

-Additional Amendments were added over time, slavery amendments, voting rights, prohibition.

What else is in the Constitution?

George Washington was inaugurated (sworn into office with oath) in New York City on April 30th, 1789

Washington set a precedent (an act or a decision that sets an example for others to follow) by not running for a third term.

Washington chose well known leaders to serve with him in his cabinet- Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton

Before retiring in 1796. George Washington published a Farewell address.

President George Washington

When Washington took office in 1789, the US had no political parties.

By the time Washington left office, 2 rival political parties had emerged to compete for power.

Members of Washington's cabinet began to fight and disagree on political matters.

Thomas Jefferson was considered a Democratic Republican, and Alexander Hamilton was considered a Federalist.

Growth of Political Parties

Democratic Republicans- believed in states rights with a weaker central government and a strict interpretation of the constitution.

Federalists wanted a strong federal government and a strict interpretation of the constitution.

Republicans vs. Federalists

The END!