The Constitution & Compromise

When is it good to compromise?

• We make compromises all the time

Write one paragraph (5 sentences) that answers the following questions

• What is an example of a compromise you have made?

• Were you happy with how this compromise turned out?

The delegates (representatives) who wrote the Constitution made compromises too.

http://www.history.com/topics/constitution (2:40)

Compromise example

• You really want to play sports after school all year long• You are worried you will not have enough time

for your schoolwork• Compromise – you decide to play a sport

during part of the year only

Before the Constitution

• 1776 - Declaration of Independence• Not a governing document

• 1777-1787 - Articles of Confederation• Weak national government• For example, national government could not tax people

• More state power

Constitution Background

• Convention originally met to revise the Articles of Confederation

• 12 states participated (not Rhode Island)

• Led by Federalists• Federalists want a stronger national

(federal) government• Opposed by Anti-Federalists• Anti-Federalists want a weaker

national (federal) government• The Convention met in

Independence Hall (in Philadelphia)

• The delegates wound up writing a new document, called the Constitution…

The Constitution

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uihNc_tdGbk (4 mins)

• Congress• In America, the people vote for representatives• These representatives make decisions for the people• instead of everyone voting for everything

• How should America’s system of representatives work?

State RepresentationCOMPROMISES

State RepresentationVirginia Plan

• Representation based on population• More representatives

from bigger states

New Jersey Plan• Equal representation for all

states, no matter their population

ResultConnecticut Compromise (Great Compromise), which allowed both kinds of representation

COMPROMISES

Questions- Whose side are you on?- Are you willing to compromise? - Why or why not?

• Even after America won independence, slavery continued• Especially in southern states

• America also still traded for slaves from Africa

• 1.) Should America count slaves as part of the population?• States with higher populations are more powerful

• 2.) Should America stop the slave trade with Africa?

SlaveryCOMPROMISES

SlaveryPro-Slavery

1.) Count slaves as part of the population• This gives more voting

power to slave states2.) Keep the African slave trade

Anti-Slavery

1.) Don’t count slaves as part of the population• This gives less voting

power to slave states2.) Get rid of the African slave trade

COMPROMISES

Questions- Whose side are you on?- Are you willing to compromise? - Why or why not?

“It was inconsistent with the principles of the revolution and dishonorable to the American character to have such a feature in the Constitution.”- Luther Martin (Maryland)

“Religion & humanity had nothing to do with this question. Interest alone is the governing principle with nations.”– John Rutledge (South Carolina)

SlaveryCOMPROMISES

• Federalists wanted a strong central government• Unlike the Articles of Confederation

• Anti-Federalists were worried the Constitution would give too much power to government• And take away rights from the people• Kind of like a new King

RightsCOMPROMISES

State and Individual Rights

Federalists• The Constitution is a

good document because it creates a stronger national government

Anti-Federalists• We should have more

protection for state and individual rights

COMPROMISES

Questions- Whose side are you on?- Are you willing to compromise? - Why or why not?

What do you think?Write one paragraph that answers the following questions

• Do you think the Constitution delegates did a good job compromising?

• Why do you think this? (include evidence from class)

The Finished Constitution

• Three branches of government• Executive (President)• The President serves for 4 year terms

• Legislative (Congress)• Includes the Senate and the House of Representatives

• Judicial (Supreme Court)• The Supreme Court has nine members• These people are appointed, not

elected, and they serve for life

The Finished Constitution

• The US government has many checks and balances• No branch has too much power (they share power)

Why does the Constitution share poweramong different branches?

Balance

The Bill of Rights

• The first 10 amendments to the Constitution• An amendment means a change or correction

• Gives more rights to the people• Protects the people from government power

• Today there are a total of 27 amendments to the Constitution

A lot of history is detective work…

• What do you see in this political cartoon?• What do you think this cartoon means?• Do you think the cartoon is for or against the Constitution?• Do you have any other questions about this cartoon?

• Schoolhouse Rock Constitution• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzAJyK0ovo8

• Bill of Rights TED-Ed• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYEfLm5dLMQ

• Constitution Intro• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uihNc_tdGbk

• Bill of Rights rap• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KINGYf7pdJE

• Ratification of the Constitution• http://www.historyhub.us/34-study-notes.html