United states government

The Constitution of the United States

Blueprints for Democracy

Government During and After Revolutionary War

In 1777 the government of the United States was 13 separate governments. Each state had their own government running the individual states. The laws of the state rested in a state Constitution.Constitution-A written plan of government.

After the American Revolution the 13 states joined together to form the United States of America. The government being established was to be a Republic.Republic-any government not controlled by a king or queen. The power is with the people of the nation.

America’s First Government

The first Government for the USA was the Articles of Confederation.Confederation-a joining together.In the case of the Articles of Confederation it was a joining together of states.

Articles of Confederation

Power was divided between the national government and state governments. Most of the power went to state governments.

Articles Continued

Under the Articles of Confederation there was one body of National Government. This was the Congress.Regardless of size or population each state had one vote in Congress. Congress could: declare war,provide mail service,enter into treaties,and coin money. It could not: collect taxes or regulate trade. Only states could tax Americans.

Problems with Articles

Congress had trouble raising moneyCongress could not settle trade disputes between statesConcern of foreign powers taking over America again or states would set up as a separate country.

Fixing the Problem

Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia to fix problems with Articles of Confederation.As Convention went on delegates decided a change was necessary.

James Madison

Considered the “Father of the Constitution”. He was a delegate from Virginia who brought the idea of democracy to the convention. Democracy-the people have a voice in the government ruling over them.

Compromises

At the Constitutional Convention the delegates had to compromise on many issues. Compromise-agreements in which each side gives up something it wants in order to gain something else.

Virginia Plan

Proposed a gov’t with 3 Branches:Executive-enforce lawsJudicial-interpret lawsLegislative-creates lawsLegislative Branch would have 2 houses (Upper and lower). Representation based upon population

New Jersey Plan

Called for a single house congressEvery state has equal representation, regardless of sizeThis plan was supported by small states

Great Compromise

Representation-in order for there to be equal representation between big states and small states the delegates agreed upon a two house Congress.Senate-every state regardless of size would have 2 senators. House of Representatives-the number of representatives would be based on the population of the state.

Three Fifths Compromise

There was a problem in terms of population of slave states and non slave states. (Northern and Southern) How would slaves be counted in population?Three Fifths Compromise-each slave would count as three fifths of one whole person. This made sure that slave states did not have more representation in the House of Representatives because they had slavery.

Ratification Process

In order for the Constitution to be ratified each state held their own convention to decide whether or not to adopt the constitution.Federalists-people who supported the new Constitution. Argued that this created a good balance between state and national governments.

Antifederalists

Antifederalists-feared the new constitution created a government that left too much power with the national government. Pointed out that the Constitution was missing a Bill of Rights to protect liberty of individual citizens.

Ratification Continued

In order for the Constitution to be ratified 9 of 11 states had to approve it before it became law.Pennsylvania, Delaware,Connecticut, New Jersey and Georgia quickly voted to adopt the Constitution.The last two states to approve the Constitution were North Carolina and Rhode Island and both states threatened to become their own country before finally adopting it.

First President

George Washington was elected first president of United States. He was sworn in as president in 1789 in New York City (the first capital of the US)

Comparing Articles to Constitution

Articles1 House of CongressPower rested with statesNo strong National Government

Constitution2 House CongressPower shared between states and National Government