DON'T INTERFERE WITH ANYTHING IN THE CONSTITUTION. THAT MUST

BE MAINTAINED, FOR IT IS THE ONLY SAFEGUARD OF OUR LIBERTIES.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

The Constitution

Why a Constitution?

Articles of Confederation were weak. 1 The national government could not force the

states to obey its laws.2 It did not have the power to tax3 It did not have the power to enforce laws4 Congress lacked strong and steady leadership5 There was no national army or navy6 There was no system of national courts7 Each state could issue its own paper money8 Each state could put tariffs on trade between

states.

Shay’s rebellion

Economic uprising in Massachusetts The US government could not raise an army

to put it down. Oops!!!John Jay- The rebellion made "the

inefficiency of the Federal government [become] more and more manifest”

The Virginia Plan- new document

Strong national government- 3 branchesBicameral legislature, one chosen by the

peopleExecutive veto power

New Jersey Plan- revamp Articles

New Jersey- They were so confident it would be accepted they called it the “Jersey sure!” hehe

NJ

Small states feared both houses would be based on population

Each state would get one vote in legislature- argues it balanced large and small states

Va plan came first so it was the focus.

Great Compromise

Key principles

Federalism- Hey wait that’s chapter three!!!Separation of Powers- 3 distinct branches of

government – legislative, Executive, JudicialEnumerated powers- Powers given just to the

federal government- (ex. Coin money)Reserved Powers- Powers held by the states

(ex. Issues licenses)Concurrent powers- Powers shared by the

states and the fed (ex. Tax)

Checks and Balances

Getting it done

Federalists- “nationalists

Antifederalists- “states righters”

This is what a federalist looks like

This is what an anti-federalist looks like

Which are you?

Let’s figure that out

The Constitution and us

It did provide some protections-Writ of habeas corpus- why are you being

detainedNo Bill of Attainder- guilty without trialNo ex post fact law- “after the fact”

The Constitution and us

Bill of Rights- In all it's glory!

Constitution and us

Slavery- 3 mentions, but never mentioned!!1. counted them as 3/5 of a person for census

purposes.2. Congress could not forbid importation of

“such persons” until after 18083. A “person held to service or labor” must be

returned if he/she escapes