The American
Constitution: The American
Constitution and the Party System
Mr. Phipps
U.S. History
Objectives
11.1 Students analyze the significant events in the founding of the
nation and its attempts to realize the philosophy of government
described in the Declaration of Independence.
11.1.2. Analyze the ideological origins of the American Revolution,
the Founding Fathers' philosophy of divinely bestowed
unalienable natural rights, the debates on the drafting and
ratification of the Constitution, and the addition of the Bill of
Rights.
11.1.3. Understand the history of the Constitution after 1787 with
emphasis on federal versus state authority and growing
democratization.
The Great Debate
Constitution continued debate within
the states over states’ rights, individual
rights, and functional organization
Broke United States into TWO political
parties: Federalists and Anti-Federalists
Chronology
 1774: First Continental Congress
 1775: Battle of Lexington, Battle of Concord,
Second Continental Congress
 1776: Declaration of Independence written and sent
 1777: Third Continental Congress, Articles of
Confederation drafted
 1781: Articles of Confederation signed
 1783: Treaty of Paris signed, ending war
 1787: Committee to revise Articles of Confederation
-->Constitutional Convention
 1788: Constitution ratified
On paper: Draw a T-Chart to describe what
you see. Whose perspective is this from?
The Birth of Political Parties:
The
Players
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Alexander Hamilton
 Beliefs in Government
 Rule by rich and well educated
 New government should favor
merchants, manufacturers, and
lawyers
 Strong central government with
a strong president
 Favored industry
 Wanted strong alliance with
Britain
 Centralized banking and create
debt spending
 Cynical
 Loose interpretation of the
Constitution
 The North
Thomas Jefferson
 Beliefs in Government
 Rule by everybody
 New government should favor
farmers, artisans, and poor
classes
 Weak central government,
power given to the states to
reflect individual interests
 Favored agriculture and farming
 Wanted strong alliance with
France
 Low taxes, small tariffs
 Idealistic
 Strict interpretation of the
Constitution
 The South
Match the quote with the
Party: Federalist or Anti-Fed?
1. “Your people, sir, are beasts…Take mankind
in general, they are vicious.”
2. “The sheep are happier of themselves, than
under the care of wolves.”
3. “Rich should be in charge, because they
can’t be bribed.”
4. “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.”
5. “All societies need a governing class.”
6. “All men are created equal.”
Who are you?
Consider the times and these beliefs:
What political party would you support?
The Federalists or the Anti-Federalists?
Explain your answer.
Political Vocabulary
Ratify: To agree to, To sign
Amend: To add to
Veto: To refuse to sign
Bill: Proposed law
Suffrage: Right to vote
Bicameral: Two house congress
Impeachment: Removal from office
Cabinet: Advisors to the President
The American Constitution
Constitution divided
into two parts
Articles--rights of
government (7
Articles)
Amendments--rights
of individual (27
Amendments)
Government and Man
Articles I-III
Separates power into
three branches of
government
Art. I-Leg.; Art. IIExec.; Art. III-Judic.
Articles IV-VII
Power of Law
Power of Constitution
 Amendments I-X
 Bill of Rights
 Amendment XI-XII
 Organization of Government
 Amendment XIII-XV
 Civil Rights Amendments
 Slave Amendments
 Amendments XVI-XIX
 Progressive Amendments
 Amendments XX-XXI
 New Deal Amendments
 Amendments XXII-XXVII
 Great Society Amendments
Article I: The Legislature
A.K.A. Congress, The Legislative
Branch, The Lawmakers
 Bicameral
 Upper House=Senate (2 per
state, 100 total)
 6 year term
 Led by Speaker of the House
 Lower House=House of
Representatives (proportional to
population, 435 total--CA has 54)
 2 year term
 Led by Speaker of the House
 President of Congress=Vice
President of the United States of
America
The U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.
Legislative Powers
Make laws
Collect taxes
Borrow and coin money
Establish immigration policy
Declare war and raise armies
Approves treaties
Control interstate activities
(trade, marriage, etc)
 ****To do ANYTHING
NECESSARY AND
PROPER (The Elastic
Clause)







Congress works at the Capitol Building in
Washington D.C.
Why is the power to “do anything
necessary and proper” called the Elastic
Clause?
What are the benefits and problems of
this power?
California’s Contribution
Barbara Boxer, Democrat
Diane Feinstein, Democrat
How YOU can be a Congressperson!
Age 25 (H. of R.); 30 (Senate)
Live 7 years (H. of R.); 9 years (Senate)
in your state
Have a lot of money for campaign
Be independently wealthy
Have people contribute money/support
campaign
What would make you run for a political office?
Article II: The Executive
A.K.A. The
President, The
Commander-inChief, The Pres.
 Term: 4 years, 2 term
limit
 President
Vice President
Cabinet (Sec. of State,
etc.)
Executive Power
Commander-in-Chief
of American military
Execute law,
sign/veto law
Make treaties
Appoint judges
How YOU can be the Pres.
Be at least 35 years old
Be a natural born citizen
Live in the U.S. for at least 14 years
Have even more money for campaign
than Congress-person
What other qualifications should their
be to be a president? List as many
attributes/abilities as possible (min. 10).
What would it take for you to take the
job of being president?
Article III:
The Judicial
A.K.A. The Bench,
The Courts, The
Judiciary
Term: Life
Organization:
Constitution
Supreme Court
Federal Courts
State Courts
Judicial Power
Interprets law
Reviews
“constitutionality” of
laws
Reviews lower court
cases
Preserves balance
against political
parties
Interpretation
“Loose Interpretation”
“Strict Interpretation”
 A.K.A. “Loose Construction of
Constitution”
 Interpretation of Constitution
must be flexible
 People change, society
changes, technology changes->Constitution must adapt
 What the Constitution doesn’t
say EXPLICITY, the branches of
government can do
 “Federalists” “Liberals”
 A.K.A. “Strict Construction of
Constitution”
 Constitution should remain the
constant
 The Constitution must be the
measure of social, ethical, and
moral change
 Government can ONLY do
what the Constitution
EXPLICITLY says
 “Anti-Federalists” “Conservatives”
Separation of Power
The United States Government
Federal Government
"Federalism"
Legislative Branch
House of Representatives
Senate
Committee
Committee
Sub-Committee
Sub-Committee
Executive Branch
Judical Branch
President
Supreme Court
Vice President
Cabinet Advisors
Courts of Appeals
District Courts
U.S. Bankruptcy
Checks and Balances
The Political Spectrum