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U.S. Constitution Basics

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Background of the Constitution English Common Law Magna Charta English Civil War Enlightenment French and Indian/Seven Years War American Revolution Articles of Confederation Annapolis Convention

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Articles of Confederation National Government War and Defense Declare War Make Peace Sign Treaties Financial Matters Borrow Money Set Standards Coins Weights Measures Post Office Native American Affairs State Governments

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What They Didnt Do

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Problems Facing the Country Mostly Economic War debt=$150 million borrowed from European nations Paper money (the Continental) was worthless Unable to impose a tariff when RI rejects it Creditors v Debtors on value of money

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International Concerns Britain refuses to evacuate forts on the Great Lakes Americans wont repay for confiscated property of merchants or Loyalists National govt cant raise an army Spain closes Mississippi to Americans Northerners want lucrative concessions Southerners and Westerners want to ship crops on the river

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Domestic Confrontations Shays Rebellion ( 1787 ) Farmers faced heavy tax burdens in MA State militia called out by banker- controlled state government Fear of a rebellion spreading Annapolis Convention of 5 states ( 1786 ) Interstate trade issues Led by Madison (VA) and Hamilton (NY) Calls for a national convention for remedy

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Men of the Constitution Signers of the Constitution

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Founding Fathers

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Political Precedents Confederation (Switzerland) Renaissance City-States (Italy) Republic w/Senate (Rome) Direct Democracy (Athens)

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Political Problems Representation State Population Centralized Authority Federation Confederation Western Land Economic concerns Foreign Relationships

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Basic Facts What: Supreme Law of the Land When: 1787drafted 1788ratified 1789in effect Who: Constitutional Convention Why: Articles of Confederation weak How: through a series of compromises

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Key Conflicts at the Convention

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Constitutional Compromises Slavery 3/5 th Compromise Western Lands Northwest Ordinance Representation Bicameral Legislature

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Structure of the Document PreambleIntroduction, Purpose Article 1Legislature Article 2Executive Article 3Judicial Article 4States Article 5Amending Article 6Establishing Government Article 7Ratification Amendments 1-27Changes

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Separation of Powers ExecutiveJudicialLegislative

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Legislative Branch (Article I) -Establishes lower courts -Confirms or rejects appointments -Override vetoes -Approves budgets -House can impeach -Senate confirms or rejects appointments

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Executive Branch (Article II) -Can veto bills -Can call special sessions -Has access to media -Proposes legislation -Writes budget -Appoints federal judges -Can pardon convicted persons -Can grant reprieves of sentences

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Judicial Branch -Decides meaning of law through case decisions -Can declare acts unconstitutional -Appointed for life, so free from pressures -Can declare orders or actions unconstitutional

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Amending the Constitution Change Proposed by Congress Ratified by of States Must be enforced Cant be made unconstitutional

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Quick Guide to Amendments 1-10=Bill of Rights 11 & 12=Resolve Internal Conflicts 13-15=Civil War Amendments 16-19=Progressive Era 20-26=20 th Century Resolutions 26=Kind of Slipped Through