THE CONSTITUTION
U.S. History Chapters 5-6
American colonists
used this term to
express their belief in
the need for the
consent of the
governed.
“NO TAXATION WITHOUT
REPRESENTATION”
Thomas Paine wrote
Common Sense to
suggest that the
American colonies
should declare
independence from
England.
“COMMON SENSE”
A brand new country, the
United States adopted it’s first
constitution, the Articles of
Confederation. However, this
document did not allow a
chief executive, each state
had a single representative,
and states retained
sovereignty.
ARTICLES OF
CONFEDERATION
Many founders did not want
a chief executive in the new
government because they
feared a strong central
government and a tyrannical
leader.
ARTICLES OF
CONFEDERATION
The Articles of Confederation
had one major
accomplishment: a process
for admitting new states into
the Union, through the
Northwest Ordinance.
ARTICLES OF
CONFEDERATION
In 1787, a new
Constitution was written
to address the problems
with the Articles of
Confederation which
had many serious
shortcomings.
THE CONSTITUTION
The Constitution
addressed many of the
grievances outlined in
the Declaration of
Independence. It
provided that all taxes
must be approved by
Congress.
THE CONSTITUTION
Arguments arose over the
representation of each of
the states in the new
government. The Great
Compromise determined the
formula that should be used
to determine Congressional
representation.
THE GREAT COMPROMISE
The 3/5ths Compromise
concerned the counting
of slaves in determining
representation and
taxation of states.
THE GREAT COMPROMISE
The Virginia Plan
proposed a separation of
powers between three
branches of government.
THE GREAT COMPROMISE
The framers of the
Constitution created 3
separate branches of the
national government to
prevent any one branch
of government from
gaining too much power.
THE GREAT COMPROMISE
A bicameral legislature,
or a two-house legislative
branch, was the result of
both the Virginia and
New Jersey Plans in the
Great Compromise.
THE GREAT COMPROMISE
The principle of
Federalism deals with the
division of power
between the national
and state governments.
FEDERALISM
A major controversy
between Federalists and
Anti-Federalists focused
on the issue of ratification
of the new U.S.
Constitution.
FEDERALISM
Federalists had to
convince Antifederalists
that the Constitution had
features that prevented
the abuse of government
power.
FEDERALISM
In the Federalist Papers,
Hamilton said states will
enjoy important powers
in the new government.
FEDERALISM
Anti-Federalists insisted
upon including a Bill of
Rights in the Constitution
to address individual
liberties.
BILL OF RIGHTS
The Bill of Rights are the
first 10 amendments to
the Constitution.
Amendments are
designed to allow the
Constitution to adjust for
changing times.
BILL OF RIGHTS
The Bill of Rights addressed
grievances outlined in the
Declaration of
Independence, such as
colonists being transported to
England for trial. “For
transporting us beyond Seas
to be tried…” is covered in
the 6th and 7th Amendments
in the Bill of Rights.
AMENDMENTS
Thomas Jefferson
supported the 1st
Amendment and
Freedom of Speech
when he said, “All
tyranny needs to gain a
foothold is for people of
good conscience to
remain silent.”
AMENDMENTS
The 1st Amendment also
addresses Freedom of
Religion to guarantee
religious freedom to
citizens of the United
States.
AMENDMENTS
The new Constitution
addressed grievances
outlined in the Declaration of
Independence, such as no
soldier shall be quartered in
any house without the
consent of the owner, which
is covered in the 3rd
Amendment in the Bill of
Rights.
AMENDMENTS
The Bill of Rights also
addressed grievances,
such as freedom from
unreasonable search
and seizure, which is
covered in the 4th
Amendment in the Bill of
Rights.
AMENDMENTS
Checks and Balances
prevents any one
branch of government
from becoming too
powerful.
CHECKS AND BALANCES
Checks and Balances
example: The Executive
Branch (President) can
make treaties, but only with
consent of the Legislative
Branch (Congress).
CHECKS AND BALANCES
Checks and Balances
example: The Executive
Branch (President) can
select a justice for the
Supreme Court (Judicial).
But the Senate (Legislative)
must confirm the court
nominee.
CHECKS AND BALANCES
GOOD LUCK ON THE TEST!