MT 1 LT 3: The effects of historical documents and philosophers on future peoples, nations and governments and revolutions?Essential questions:

How did the Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights and the ideas/belief of the Enlightenment thinkers affect the revolution in America?

How did the ideas/beliefs of the Enlightenment thinkers influence the American Constitution & US Bill of Rights?

How did the ideas/beliefs of the Enlightenment thinkers and the American Revolution influence the Revolutions in France and Latin America?

Review Time: Important Documents (Shouldn’t need to write down as you already have these

notes…right???)

The Magna Carta The English Bill of Rights

~Created 25 guys to watch king~People’s property is protected from being taken over~People can not go to jail without being charged with a crime~Permission needed to raise taxes

~Took almost all the King’s power away~More rights protected

-Freedom of speech-No army in peace time-Right to free elections-No excessive fines-No cruel and unusual punishment

Review Time: Important Enlightenment Ideas (Shouldn’t need to write

down as you already have these notes…right???)

John Locke Montesquieu Rousseau

~Everyone has rightsNatural Rights –Life, liberty, and own property

~Government gets its power from the people~If a government doesn’t protect the peoples rights it can be overthrown!!!

Separation of power~When one person or group has all the power, then it becomes corrupt = violates people’s rights ~Separate a governments power up to keep it from being corrupt

~People are good, so they should create their own laws~People should elect representatives to run the gov. for them

The 13 Colonies (What would later be the

United States of America) Take notes!!

Background on 13 colonies

~13 colonies (America) were controlled/run/governed by England ~13 colonies were not happy~Complaints 13 colonies had against England

-Taxes too high and too many new taxesLaws unfair-They have no say in the government/laws created-England will not listen to them and make changes-Soldiers lived in their homes (instead of barracks)-They didn’t have freedom of speech-Soldiers took their property away -People arrested without being charged

It’s a Revolution I suppose…The American Revolution

~England and the USA go to war~War lasted 8 years~USA wins freedom1783~4 years later US Constitution is created

-Our current government!

The Declaration of Independence

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government…

The Declaration of Independence videos… History.com

When you are done with the handout, complete the following…Causes Event Lasting Effects

The American

Revolution

United States Constitution 101

MT 1 LT 3: The effects of historical documents and philosophers on future peoples, nations and

governments and revolutions?

Essential questions: How did the ideas/beliefs of the Enlightenment thinkers influence the American Constitution & US Bill of Rights?

What is the US Constitution?

• The supreme law of the United States.

• It is the foundation and source of the legal authority underlying the existence of the United States of America and the Federal Government of the United States.

• James Madison is considered “the father of the Constitution.”

• It provides the framework for the organization of the United States Government.

Why was it written?

• After the Revolutionary War, the Articles of Confederation set up the structure of the US Government.

• The federal government was extremely weak and this created many problems such as:(Pick 3)1. No separation of powers – only unicameral

legislature. 2. Weak central government – states had most power. 3. Congress did not have the power to tax – this means

they could not get their finances in order.

What are the basic principles of the Constitution?

• Popular Sovereignty– Government power resides in the

people (John Locke, Rousseau)

• Limited government– Government is not all powerful,

can only do what the people let it.

• Separation of Powers (Montesquieu)– Helps prevent one branch from

becoming too powerful– Checks and Balances

• Federalism– Division of power among national

and state governments

What were the important outcomes of the Constitutional Convention

• Great Compromise:– Hybrid of VA and NJ

Plans:• Bicameral legislature:

– House of Reps based on population

– Senate based upon equal representation

– Three-Fifth’s Clause:• Slaves count as 3/5’s

of a person for representation purposes & taxes.

• Federalists:– Supported the Constitution

and a strong central government

– Federalist Papers – series of articles written in defense of the Constitution

• Anti-Federalists:– Supported a weaker central

government – felt too much power was

taken away from the states.– Opposed the Constitution– Wanted a Bill of Rights

included to protect certain rights.

Influences of Ideas and Philosophers

Separation of PowersArticle I: Legislative Branch Article II: Executive Branch Article III: Judicial Branch

Bicameral Congress: ~Senate

2 Senators for each state~House of Representatives based on population

~Reps serve for 2 year terms~Senators serve for 6 year terms~Important Powers:

Make lawsSet taxesDeclare warOverride VetoesBorrow money

~President and Vice President are elected to 4 year terms~Qualifications:

~At least 35 years old~14 year resident of the USNatural born citizen

~Elected by the Electoral CollegeImportant powers:

-Commander-in-Chief-Grant pardons-Appoint federal officers-Ensure laws are executed

~Supreme Court judges serve for life unless impeached.~Judicial power rests with US Supreme Court and other courts created by Congress~Important Powers:

Decides cases of Constitutional law and federal lawCases involving ambassadors go straight to Supreme Court

What are the Checks and Balances?

Structure of the Constitution(Just copy Bolded)

• Preamble:– Statement of purpose

• Articles:– I: Legislative Branch– II: Executive Branch– III: Judicial Branch– IV: Relations Among the States– V: Amendment Process– VI: Federal Power– VII: Ratification

• Amendments:– 27 Total– 1st ten are the Bill of Rights

Important Amendments:Bill of Rights (Sound familiar? Pick 4 to know.)

1. Freedom of religion, of speech, of the press, to assemble, and to petition

2. Right to bear arms3. No housing of soldiers4. No unreasonable search

and seizure5. Indictments; Due process;

Self-incrimination; Double jeopardy, and rules for Eminent Domain.

6. Right to a fair and speedy public trial, Notice of accusations, Confronting one's accuser, Subpoenas, Right to counsel

7. Right to trial by jury in civil cases

8. No excessive bail & fines or cruel & unusual punishment

9. There are other rights not written in the Constitution

10. All rights not given to Federal Government belong to states and people.

Other Important Amendments:Reconstruction Amendments

• 13th Amendment– abolished slavery

• 14th Amendment– Due process and equal

protection under the law

– All persons born in US are citizens

• 15th Amendment– Right to vote

regardless of race, color, or previous servitude

18th AmendmentProhibition of alcohol

19th Amendment: Women’s suffrage

21st Amendment: Repeals prohibition

22nd Amendment: Presidential term limits

24th Amendment:Prohibits poll taxes for voting

26th Amendment: lowers voting age to 18

Complete the following chart after finishing handouts 4 and 5.

Magna Carta (1215)

The ENGLISH Bill of Rights (1689)

John Locke Montesquieu Rousseau

The Declaration of Independence (1776)

Constitution of the United States

U.S.A Bill of Rights