The Constitutional Era – Study Guide
1776 – The 2nd Continental Congress drew up plans for a new government
1777 - The Articles of Confederation was adopted in November
1781 – The Articles of Confederation were approved in March and became
America’s 1st Constitution.
Powers of the Articles of Confederation: (p.206)
1)
3)
2)
4)
Accomplishments of the Articles of Confederation:
Ordinance of 1785
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Treaty of Paris (1783)
Problems:
Financial
Robert Morris Import Tax
Problems with Britain and Spain
Economic Depression
Shay’s Rebellion
The Issue of Slavery
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation:
1)
3)
2)
4)
1787 Constitutional Convention – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 55 delegates
- George Washington chosen as the presiding officer
- Secret sessions closed to the public
- Many attended - but no women, Blacks, or Native Americans attended
2 plans were immediately introduced:
The Virginia Plan
The New Jersey Plan
The delegates had to decide whether to revise (fix) the Articles or write a new plan
of government. They chose a new plan of government.
Now the question of representation that divided the larger and smaller states had to
be worked out. How would each state be represented? How were the members
of Congress be elected? Were slaves to be counted as part of that
representation?
These 3 questions led to compromises:
The Great Compromise
3/5th Compromise
Commerce (Trade) Compromise
A Bill of Rights were proposed and defeated.
Sept 17, 1787 – the draft of the Constitution was approved.
Roots of the Constitution
- Magna Carta, 1215
- English Bill of Rights, 1689
- The Enlightment Movement
- Philosophical Thinkers:
o John Locke
o Baron de Montesquieu
The Organization of Government
The Legislative Branch (Article 1) – Makes the laws
The Executive Branch (Article 2) – Enforces the laws
The Judicial Branch (Article 3) – Interprets the laws
The Constitutional Debate
Federalists
Anti-federalists
Adopting the Constitution – Delaware - 1st state to ratify, Dec 1787
New Hampshire - 9th state to ratify, Jun 1788
Rhode Island – last state to ratify, May 1790
1791 - Bill of Rights added.
Bill of Rights
How Grievances addressed in the Declaration of Independence was resolved in the
Constitution and Bill of Rights.
The Preamble - Introduction
Goals (6):
The Constitution
Major Principles of the Constitution:
1) Popular Sovereignty
2) Republicanism
3) Limited Government
4) Federalism
5) Separation of Powers
6) Checks and Balances
7) Individual Rights
The Federal System:
Enumerated Powers
Concurrent Powers
Reserved Powers
Passing A Bill (p. 225)
Amending the Constitution (p.220)
The Electoral College (see handout)
A Living and Breathing Constitution
-Amendments - changes to the Constitution, to keep up with the changing needs of
a nation.
- Implied Powers
-Elastic Clause: a provision of the Constitution that provides Congress with the
power to enact any laws they deem necessary to carry out its other powers.
Vocabulary
Constituents
Ratify (Ratification)
Amendment
Due process of law
Impeach
Preamble
Enlightenment
Compromise
Ordinance
Bicameral