The
Constitution
Chapter Three Notes
REVIEW:
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
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What was the Articles of Confederation?
What were the strengths?
What were the weaknesses?
Why did the articles fail?
WHAT WERE THE ARTICLES?
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First constitution of the United States
Confederation- a group of individuals or in
this case states, banding together for a
common purpose.
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Had a one house legislature, each state had one
vote
The legislature had the power to control the army
and handle foreign affairs
States refused to give the federal Gov’t a lot of
power!
WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES
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Lack of Power and Money
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Congress could not tax
Congress could not regulate trade
Congress could not enforce laws
Lack of Central Power
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No single leader
No national court system
Congress could not pass laws without the approval of 9 states
The Articles could not be changed without the agreement of all
13 states.
…SO WHY DID IT FAIL?!
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Nation had to borrow money for the war
State governments were deep in debt
States begin taxing at an alarming rate
States feared that the government could
not protect them
The Road to the
Constitution
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Delegates met on May 25, 1787
55 men from each state except Rhode
Island
All of the men were well educated and
prominent
Ben Franklin was the oldest delegate
Decisions…
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George Washington would preside the
meeting
The details of the meeting were kept
secret- allowed them to speak freely
Majority rule
No formal records kept
Discarded the Articles of Confederation and
decided to write a new Constitution
COMPROMISES
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Virginia Plan- called for three branches of
government and a two house legislature. Large
states would have more votes than small states
New Jersey Plan – Three branches and one
house but each state would get one vote.
GREAT COMPROMISE- Two houses – a senate
and house of representatives and each state
would be equally represented based on
population (Roger Sherman of Connecticut)
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3/5 Compromise- every five slaves would
count as 3 people. This ensured that states
would have equal population, especially in
the southern states.
Electoral College – created to select the
president and vice president. A group of
people selected by voters in each state.
Structure of the
Constitution
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Preamble- opening section. Tells why the
constitution was written.
Articles – explain how the government will
work
Amendments – changes to the constitution
Principles of the
Constitution
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POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY – power lies
within the people
RULE OF LAW- limits the government by
saying the law applies to everyone.
SEPARATION OF POWERS – splits
authority among the three branches
CHECKS AND BALANCES – keeps any
one branch from becoming too powerful
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FEDERALISM – power is shared by the
national and state government
EXPRESSED POWERS- powers granted in
the constitution – WRITTEN
RESERVED POWERS – powers given to
the states
CONCURRENT POWERS – powers shared
by both the national and state government