Federalists vs. Anti-federalists & the Constitution.

Federalists vs. Anti-federalists

& the Constitution

VS

Federalists• Wrote a collection of essays in

support of the new Constitution.

• The purpose of the essays was to show how the new Constitution would solve many of the problems that existed under the Articles of Confederation.

• Three men combined to write 85 of the essays.

• Strong central government.• (Alexander Hamilton, James

Madison, John Jay)

Anti-federalists• Criticized the adoption of the

Constitution of 1787. • Opposition to slavery – continue to

exist under the new Constitution.• States would lose power under the

Constitution.• Federal Government would be too

powerful. People still fear a strong central government.

• #1 opposition – NO BILL of RIGHTS in proposed constitution!

• Anti-Federalists (Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Richard Henry Lee, George Mason)

THE CONSTITUTION• PREAMBLE• A preamble is an introduction. The introduction to the

Constitution lists the goals of the Constitution.• The goals of the Constitution refer to problems under the

Articles of Confederation.

• GOALS OF THE CONSTITUTION1) Form a More Perfect Union2) Establish Justice3) Insure Domestic Tranquility4) Provide for the Common Defense5) Promote the General Welfare6) Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and Our

Posterity

ARTICLE I: LEGISLATIVE BRANCHCONGRESS (BICAMERAL) – PURPOSE = MAKE LAWS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Based on State Population• Directly Elected by People

MAJOR POWERS OF CONGRESS

• Tax• Declare War• Raise/Maintain and Army• Regulate Interstate Trade• Tax Imports• Create Postal System• Coin Money• Create Lower Federal Courts

SENATE• 2 Per State• Originally selected by

State Legislatures• Today Directly Elected

POWERS DENIED CONGRESS

• Suspend Writ of Habeas Corpus (brought to court)

• Pass Bills of Attainder (punish without trial)

• Ex Post Facto Law (punish after laws is created)

• Tax Exports

ARTICLE II: EXECUTIVE BRANCHPRESIDENT: PURPOSE – ENFORCE THE LAW

ROLES OF THE PRESIDENT

• Chief Executive• Commander-in-

Chief• Legislative Leader• Judicial Leader• Chief of State• Foreign Policy

Maker

POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT

• Enforce laws passed by Congress

• Send troops into battle• Enter into Treaties• Appoint Federal Judges• Appoint Ambassadors• Grant Pardons -

Reprieves

ARTICLE III: JUDICIAL BRANCHSUPREME COURT – PURPOSE – INTERPRET THE LAW

SUPREME COURT• 9 Justices – Appointed by the President• Justices serve life terms.• Supreme Court oversees actions of Congress and the

President. Court uses the Constitution to make sure government actions are Constitutional.

ARTICLE IV: RELATIONS AMONG THE STATESThis article establishes what the states agree to do for

one another, and what the federal government will provide to each state.

STATE to STATE• Respect laws, contracts,

etc.. Full Faith & Credit• Extradition – send

criminal to stand trial in other states.

FEDERAL to STATE• Rules for admitting

new states to the Union

• Republican form of Government

• Protect against invasion

ARTICLE V: AMENDMENTSPROCESS BY WHICH CHANGES CAN BE MADE TO THE

CONSTITUTION

PROPOSAL• Amendments to the

Constitution must be approved by 2/3 of both houses of Congress to be proposed

(or)• 2/3 of the states call for

a national convention for the proposal of an amendment

RATIFICATION• Amendments must be

ratified (consent) by ¾ of the State Legislatures

ARTICLE VI: SUPREMACY OF NATIONAL LAW

1. All debts contracted under the Articles of Confederation will be honored by US Government

2. US Constitution, Federal Law, and Treaties are the Supreme Law of the Land (Supremacy Clause)

3. All Federal Public Officials will take an oath to protect and support the Constitution

>

ARTICLE VII: RATIFICATION

• For the Constitution to go into effect, it had to be ratified, approved by 9 of 13 states.

RATIFICATION9 of 13 STATES

The Bill of Rights

• Amendment 1 – Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion, Petition, & Assembly

• Amendment 2 – Right to Bear Arms• Amendment 3 – Quartering of Soldiers• Amendment 4 – Search & Seizure• Amendment 5 – Rights of the Accused• Amendment 6 – Requirements for a Jury Trial• Amendment 7 – Rules of Common Law• Amendment 8 – Limits on Criminal Punishment• Amendment 9 – Rights Kept by the People• Amendment 10 – Powers of the States and the

People

Amendments 11-19

• Amendment 11 – Suits Against States• Amendment 12 – Presidential Election Method• Amendment 13 – Slavery Abolished• Amendment 14 – Civil Rights Guaranteed• Amendment 15 – Black voting Rights• Amendment 16 – Income Tax• Amendment 17 – Direct Election of Senators• Amendment 18 – Prohibition• Amendment 19 – Women’s Voting Rights