8th Grade Social Studies Unit 4 CBA review THE CONSTITUTIONAL ERA
confederation – an alliance of states created for a common purpose
compromise – an agreement between opposing parties
constitution – document outlining the fundamental principles and structures of a government
ratification – approval of a document or policy
amendment – an addition to a document
sovereignty – independent power
federalism –shared between a national centralized government and a collection of smaller state governments Advocate- you are for it
1. Weak Articles of Confederation
2. Shays’ Rebellion
3. Philadelphia Convention 1787-writing of the Constitution
-Great Compromise, 3/5 Compromise.
-Anti‑Federalist vs. Federalist; Federalist Papers
-Bill of Rights 4. George Washing is elected 1st President 1787 – Writing of the U.S. Constitution ;9 states were needed for Ratification of Constitution
ISSUES OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1787
1. Strengthening the Federal Government
2. Revising the Weak Articles of Confederation-No collect Taxes, conflicts between states
3. Created 3 BODIES executive, legislative, and judicial branches (Madison father of Const.)
4. Representation
#Virginia Plan – large state population plan; representation based on population size
#New Jersey Plan – small state population plan; equal representation among all states
5. Great Compromise – the above resulted in a bi cameral (2 house) legislature
-1 House of Representatives based on population
-1 Senate maintaining equal representation from all states
6. Slavery-How enslaved people should be counted regarding population and taxation?
#3/5 Compromise – 3/5 of the enslaved people population would be counted, taxed, but no limitations.
U.S. CONSTITUTION REFLECTS THE PRINCIPLES 1. Limited government –limits of power so they cannot take advantage of their elected, appointed, or positions. 2. Republicanism –elected representatives serve at the will of the people; government is based on the consent of the governed. 3. Checks and balances –does not allow any one branch of the government to have too much power -the president can veto legislation passed by Congress, but Congress can override the veto; -Senate confirms major appointments made by the President; -the courts may declare acts passed by Congress as unconstitutional) 4. Federalism – the distribution of power between a federal government and the states within a union. 5. Popular sovereignty –power rests with the people who can create, alter, and abolish government through voting and free participation in government. 6. Individual rights –of life, liberty, and property all listed in the Bill of Rights
RIGHTS GUARANTEED IN THE BILL OF RIGHTS
1st Amendment – freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, petition
2nd Amendment – bear arms
3rd Amendment – no quartering troops during times of peace
4th Amendment – protection from unreasonable searches and seizures
5th Amendment – right to due process, not to be tried for the same crime twice, and not to testify against yourself
6th Amendment – right to speedy public trial, right to a trial by jury, right to an attorney
7th Amendment – right to trial by jury in civil trials
8th Amendment – right not to have excessive bail and/or punishment
9th Amendment – rights of the people
10th Amendment – rights to the states
PURPOSES FOR AND PROCESS OF AMENDING THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
1.Purposes – the Constitution can be changed or amended when it is deemed necessary by the
people to adjust to changing times and to maintain a “living” document
2.Process – proposal by Congress (by two-thirds vote of both houses) or proposal from a convention called by two-thirds of the states. The proposal is then sent to the state legislatures to be ratified, must have three-fourths votes to pass or passage by three-fourths votes in special
state conventions