The Constitution & the Bill of Rights. WHO GOVERNS? WHO GOVERNS? 1. What is the difference between a democracy and a republic? 2. What branch of government.

The The Constitution & Constitution &

the Bill of the Bill of RightsRights

WHO GOVERNS?WHO GOVERNS?1. What is the difference between a 1. What is the difference between a

democracy and a republic?democracy and a republic?

2. What branch of government has the 2. What branch of government has the greatest power?greatest power?

TO WHAT ENDS?TO WHAT ENDS?1. Does the Constitution tell us what 1. Does the Constitution tell us what

goals the government should serve?goals the government should serve?

2. Whose freedom does the Constitution 2. Whose freedom does the Constitution protect?protect?

Copyright © 2013 CengageCopyright © 2013 Cengage

The Problem of LibertyThe Problem of Liberty

The Colonial MindThe Colonial Mind• Men will seek power because they are Men will seek power because they are

ambitious, greedy and easily corruptedambitious, greedy and easily corrupted The Real RevolutionThe Real Revolution Weaknesses of the ConfederationWeaknesses of the Confederation

• Articles of Confederation 1781Articles of Confederation 1781

Signing the Declaration of Independence, painted by John Trumbull.

© PoodlesRock/Fine Art/Corbis

North America in 1787

In 1775, British and American troops exchange fire in Lexington, Massachusetts, the first battle of the War of Independence.

Bettmann/CORBIS

ShaysShays’’s Rebellion in western Massachusetts in 1786–1787 stirred s Rebellion in western Massachusetts in 1786–1787 stirred deep fears of anarchy in America. The ruckus was put down by a deep fears of anarchy in America. The ruckus was put down by a

hastily assembled militia, and the rebels were eventually pardoned.hastily assembled militia, and the rebels were eventually pardoned.

Bettmann/Corbis

The Constitutional The Constitutional ConventionConvention

The Lessons of Experience The Lessons of Experience • State ConstitutionsState Constitutions• ShaysShays’’s Rebellions Rebellion

The FramersThe Framers• 55 delegates, RI did not 55 delegates, RI did not

send a delegatesend a delegate

Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

Andre Jenny/Alamy

The Constitution and DemocracyThe Constitution and Democracy

Republican Form of GovernmentRepublican Form of Government• Key PrinciplesKey Principles

FederalismFederalism Enumerated powersEnumerated powers Reserved powersReserved powers Concurrent powersConcurrent powers

Government And Human NatureGovernment And Human Nature• Separation of powersSeparation of powers• Checks and balancesChecks and balances

Copyright © 2013 CengageCopyright © 2013 Cengage

The Challenge

During the ratification process, many were understandably wary of the powers the new government might wield. Their aversion to a powerful central government during the colonial period indeed led to the creation of the much weaker United States government under the Articles of Confederation.

The Antifederalist The Antifederalist ViewView

Need for a Bill of Need for a Bill of RightsRights

http://uccpbank.k12hsn.org/courses/APGovernmentPolitics/course%20files/multimedia/lesson06/lessonp.html

The Constitution and LibertyThe Constitution and Liberty

Ratification of the Federal Constitution by State Conventions, 1787-1790

Their Compromise

Thus, in exchange for ratification, it was agreed that the first action Congress would take under the new government would be to pass a series of amendments designed to protect the people of the states from having their rights trampled upon by the federal government.

Their Compromise

Originally, twelve amendments to the Constitution were proposed in that first session of Congress (James Madison himself put forth a list of 17). In the end, ten received the 2/3 majority vote required in both houses. These amendments were then sent to the states for ratification. All ten were ratified by all the states by 1791. The Bill of Rights was born.

Copyright © 2013 CengageCopyright © 2013 Cengage

Reducing the Separation of PowersReducing the Separation of Powers• Increase presidential authorityIncrease presidential authority• Lengthen terms for members of the U.S. Lengthen terms for members of the U.S.

House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives

Making the System Less DemocraticMaking the System Less Democratic• Balanced Budget AmendmentBalanced Budget Amendment• Line-item vetoLine-item veto

Constitutional Reform: Constitutional Reform: Modern ViewsModern Views

Did you know?

Since 1791, there have literally been thousands of constitutional amendments proposed in Congress. But only 23 have been passed and sent to the states for ratification. Of those, 17 became the law of the land, and one - the 21st Amendment - repealed another, the 18th (prohibition).