U.S. ConstitutionPart A Test Review

The First Continental CongressWhile meeting in Philadelphia, they petitioned the King

demanding that their rights as colonist be restored. In King responded with force and the Revolutionary War began.

U.S.Constitution

The Second Continental Congress acting as the government appointed a committee to write a document declaring independence.

On July 4, 1776 the Second Continental Congress approved the declaration.

U.S. Constitution

In January 1776, Thomas Paine published a pamphlet called Common Sense

1. He discredited hereditary kingship.

2. Blamed the misfortunes of the colonies on the king

U.S. Constitution

Weaknesses No federal branch of government to enforce laws no judicial branch, states interpreted laws could not tax, it could only raise money through

borrowing could not regulate trade laws had to be approved by 9 of 13 states

Articles of Confederation

George Washington was selected to preside over the Constitution meeting.

James Madison is considered the

“Father of the Constitution”

because what we know of the convention is due to his journal, where he wrote about the daily events.

U.S. Constitution

Thomas Jefferson wrote most of what we know as the Declaration of Independence, describing why the colonies should be free.

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Virginia Plan• Designed by James Madison• Created a government with 3 branches with a bicameral

legislature with representation in the legislature being based on state population.

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New Jersey Plan• Proposed by William Patterson• Same as the Virginia plan except having a unicameral

legislature with equal representation with each state having one vote

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GREAT COMPROMISE• Roger Sherman of Connecticut proposed a plan of

government that created a bicameral legislature.• The Senate (upper house) would have equal

representation• The House of Representatives (lower house) would have

representation based on population

Also called the Connecticut Compromise

U.S. Constitution

The main purpose of the Constitution is to provide a framework for the U.S. Government

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Enumerated-Powers given to the Federal Government. Enumerated=Expressed

For Example: Coin and Print Money Establish a Postal Service.

U.S. Constitution

Enumerated-Powers given to the Federal Government. Enumerated=Expressed

For Example: Coin and Print Money Establish a Postal Service.

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Concurrent Powers- Powers shared by state and federal government

For Example: Establish Courts Borrow Money

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Reserved Powers are powers set aside for State Governments

10TH Amendment Establish Local Governments Conduct Elections.

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Federalism-Power is shared by the national government and the states.

Bicameral-Two House

House of Representatives (U.S.) House of Commons (England Senate (U.S.) House of Lords (England

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Popular Sovereignity Power lies with the People

• Federalists• Supported the Constitution• Took the name to emphasize federalism• Said our country would not last without a strong central

government• Supported through a series of articles called “The

Federalist” written by James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton

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• Anti-Federalists• Opposed the Constitution• Said it gave the government to much power• Objected that the Constitution did not contain a Bill of

Rights

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The first ten amendments were added to the Constitution in 1791. The Bill of Rights protect our civil liberties (the freedoms we have to think and act without government interference or fear of unfair treatment).

U.S. Constitution

• The Federalist agreed that if the Constitution was adopted the new government would add a bill of rights.

• The Bill of Rights is the 1st 10 Amendments

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Each branch of government is able to restrain the power of the others. Checks and Balances

The split of authority among the three branches of Government Separation of powers

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This terms means change Amend

  This terms means approve

Ratify

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Which Article deals with the legislative branch Article 1

  Which Article deals with the executive branch

Article 2

Which Article deals with the judicial branch Article 3

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Judicial Branch-Interprets laws For Example: Has somebody rights been

violated according the U.S. Constitution

Executive Branch-Carries out the Laws

Legislative Branch-Makes the Laws

U.S. Constitution