The United States
Constitution
A mini-Q
Shays rebellion,
January 1787
US Continental army goes into Mass. To put down the
‘rebelling farmers with pitchforks’
How did Shays rebellion ‘scare’ the revolutionary
leaders of government?
I. Hook Exercise: Constitution
In A-B partners, you have 5 minutes to discuss and
answer the four questions:
Tyranny of states over central government
Tyranny of the Chief Executive
Tyranny of the President over the Judicial branch
Tyranny of ‘BIG’ states over ‘little’ states
We will discuss afterwards.
Philadelphia,
1787
TIME: 1780s were a tumultuous
decade. FEAR the country might
sink into CHAOS.
PLACE: Philadelphia, PA
• 2nd largest city in US (28,000)
• Independence Hall
• Very hot summer. Windowsdoors were kept closed to
promote candid discussions.
• Some days were extremely
uncomfortable
How Did the Constitution
Guard Against Tyranny?
We will read the Background Essay together.
Be sure to highlight, underline any important information
Answer the 5 questions in packet
Be ready to explain the four BOLD terms from the essay:
Constitution
Articles of Confederation
Frame
Tyranny

We must understand ‘Who is James Madison?’
James Madison,
Virginia
‘Father of the US Constitution’
•
•
•
•
Only delegate to take
thorough notes of convention
Knew how to create a
democratic framework that
would last
Co-wrote the Federalist Papers
to ensure ratification
(Alexander Hamilton & John
Jay)
Will become the 4th President
of the United States
The Federalist Papers
 were written and published during the years 1787 and 1788 in
several New York State newspapers to persuade New York voters to
ratify the proposed constitution.
 consist of 85 essays outlining how this new government would
operate and why this type of government was the best choice for the
United States of America.
Pre-bucketing*
Federalism
Separation of
Powers
Checks &
Balances
Small vs. Large
States
Pre-bucketing**
Federalism
Separation of
Powers
Checks &
Balances
Small vs. Large
States
FEDERALISM: theory or advocacy of federal principles for dividing powers
between member units and common institutions
SEPARATION OF POWERS: separation of powers amongst different
branches of government (Montesquieu)
CHECKS & BALANCES: set up a system of checks and balances to help
ensure that no one branch became too powerful (Montesquieu)
SMALL vs LARGE STATES: less populous states (Del,NJ), which were afraid
that they would be overshadowed by states with larger populations
Understanding Document A
 The Federalist Papers: perhaps the most brilliant defense of
the Constitution ever written
 Madison uses phrase ‘compound government’-this means
federalism
 Concrete explanation of powers of the Federal and the State
governments
 Reminder: the term ‘federal’ refers to a “central” or “national”
government

HW???
Understanding Document B
 May 25, 1787: the first meeting day
 Establishing separation of legislature, executive, judicial was
quickly established
 Key Executive powers:

enforcement of laws - make treaties – appoint judges – appoint
executive department heads
 Key Legislative powers:

create laws - approve judges - approve budgets
 Key Judicial powers:

interpret laws - decide meaning of laws - judicial review
Understanding Document C
 Checks & Balances is a necessary ‘sidecar’ to separation of powers
 C & B are needed to protect the people
 Some suggestions that were not passed:
President and a ‘few’ justices would review every proposal from
Congress
 Have 1 or 2 or 3 ‘Presidents’ who could deny passage of laws for
years at a time

 The final result:
The (one) President could veto any bills from Congress
 Congress would then have to re-vote on the bill again

Understanding Document D
 State representation was the #1 issue to solve; R.I. did not even
attend!
 Virginia Plan: representation based on population (Edmond
Randolph)
 New Jersey Plan: each state receive one vote (William Patterson)
 The Great Compromise was eventually reached

There would be 2 Houses in Congress
 Senate: one vote per state
 House of Representatives: votes based on population of each state
The Chickenfoot
 helps students develop a clear thesis by
adding structure
 does NOT add any supporting detail
MiniQ Outline Guide
 provides a clear structure for organizing a
‘filled in’ essay
 It includes supporting detail
Opening paragraph
① Grabber- an opening sentence that creates the ‘mood’
② Background- only 2-3 sentences; provides time, place,
and situation.
③ Restatement of question- writer’s own words assures
understanding.
④ Defining key terms- TYRANNY
⑤ Thesis & roadmap- often combined into one
sentence. Underline this sentence!
Body Paragraphs
① Baby thesis- begins the paragraph, it is your position
statement.
② Evidence- drawn from the document (Doc A) etc.
③ Argument- finishes this sentence “The given evidence
supports the baby thesis because…”
Conclusion
Can contain two of three elements:
an “Although” statement
recognizes a counter argument
a summary of the “key argument”
Explains why the author’s argument is correct
The “Importance today” statement
Finishes the essay with a current event(s) that is
relevant.