The Constitution
• LT#1: Explain the important decisions and
compromises made at the Constitutional
Convention.
• LT#2: Explain the set up and operation of the
Federal government.
• LT#3: Identify and discuss the important
principles underlying the Constitution.
Constitutional Convention
• Original Purpose of Convention: Revise the Articles of
Confederation. They decide to make a new
Constitution.
• Who Presides?: George Washington
• Delegate Information:
– Average age 41, Ben Franklin Oldest at 81
– Most have political experience, 6 signed Decl. of Indep., 7 governors, 41
members of 2nd Continental Congress.
– Not There: Women, Natives, African Americans, T.J., John Adams, Rhode
Island, Patrick Henry
• Convention Rules:
– Each state one vote, majority rules
– Complete secrecy and no records kept
Compromises
• Original Purpose= Revise the articles
• Who Presides? = George Washington
• Great Compromise (Representation in Congress)
– Virginia Plan = 2 Houses based on population
– New Jersey Plan = 1 House with one vote per state.
– Compromise = 2 Houses, House of Representatives based on
population, Senate each state 2 Senators.
• Three-Fifths Compromise: Every 5 slaves count as three
people for representation.
• Electoral College= Electors from each state (equal in number
to the state’s Senators + Representatives) would vote to
elect the President and Vice President.
• Trade= Congress could NOT tax exports, nor interfere
with slave trade for 20 years.
The Constitution
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Completed/Signed= September 17, 1787
Ratified= 1788
Bill of Rights= Added in 1791
Federalists= Supporters of the Constitution
Anti-Federalists= Feared too strong a National
Government and wanted a Bill of Rights.
• Preamble= Introduces the Constitution and its 6 goals.
• Articles= The 7 articles set up our government.
– Article 1= Set-up Legislative Branch (Makes Law)
– Article 2= Set-up Executive Branch (Carries out Law)
– Article 3= Set-up Judicial Branch (Interprets Law)
• Amendments= Changes/additions. There are 27
amendments. The first 10 are called the Bill of Rights.
The Set-up of Our Government
• Federalism= The power of our government is divided into three
levels. National, State, and Local.
• Branches of Government= The power of our government is also
separated into three branches. Legislative, Executive, Judicial.
• Article I: Legislative Branch, Congress: Powers: tax, regulate trade,
coin money, declare war, Make Laws. House of Reps.=elected to 2
year term, 435 total representatives, Senate =elected to 6 year
term, 100 total Senators.
• Article II: Executive Branch, The President: Powers: command
armed forces, make treaties, pardon criminals, appoint officials.
Enforce Laws. Elected to 4 year term
• Article III: Judicial Branch, Supreme Court: Power: Interpret the
Law. Decide if laws, acts, actions made by government officials fit
the Constitution. If not they are Unconstitutional and are canceled.
Appointed by President to Life time terms.
Cicada hatching out
The Set-up Government Continued
• Article IV says that all states must
respect one another’s laws and explains
the process of creating new states.
• Article V specifies how the Constitution
can be amended.
• Article VI declares that the Constitution is
the “supreme Law of the Land” and federal
law prevails over state law.
• Article VII states that the Constitution
would take effect when nine states ratify it.
Dividing the power of government in the
Constitution
Concurrent Powers = These are powers that
the states and national government share.
(Taxing, enforcing law, establish courts.)
Enumerated Powers = These are powers
that the states gave up to create the
National Level of government. (Highest law,
national defense, Coin/Print money, Postal system)
Reserved Powers= These are powers that
the states saved for themselves.
(Establish local governments, public school system,
marriage laws, speed limits, etc)
Declare War
Collect Taxes
Coin Money
Make laws
Regulate trade
Commander of Armed Forces
Make Treaties
Propose laws
Create the budget
Veto or sign laws
Appoint judges, cabinet, ambassadors
Pardon criminals wrongly imprisoned
Decide whether laws fit the Constitution
Decide whether Presidential Actions fit the Constitution
Interpret what laws mean.
5 Underlying Principles
• Federalism (Division of Power)
– Government where power is divided between a National level and state level.
• Popular Sovereignty
– The idea that the power to govern lies with the people.
• Rule of Law
– The principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern.
• Separation of Powers
– Splitting power equally into three branches. The legislative branch, executive
branch, and judicial branch.
• Checks and Balances
– Our system of government where each branch is able to check, or limit the
power of the other two branches.