From Revolution to the
Constitution
The Birth of a Nation
Opener Discussion Prompts
• What could explain these figures and actions besides a system of
racial prejudice still engrained in our society and criminal justice
system?
• "How can conflict be resolved while ensuring the rights of
individuals?"
Daily Show: Stop and Frisk Policies
Four Corners
• Go to the corner with the quote that most directly reflects your
position:
A.
B.
C.
D.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”
“If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.”
“If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything.”
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
Practice IB Essay Outlines
• Pass Out IB Essay Rubrics
• Essay Prompts
• “American Independence from Britain was not a revolution, but an evolution.”
To what extent do you agree with this view? Provide specific evidence to
support.
• In what ways did the Declaration of Independence of 1776 justify the United
State separation from Britain? Provide specific evidence to support.
• The American war for independence was primarily caused by political
grievances. To what extent do you agree with this view? Provide specific
evidence to support.
Fighting the War:
Advantages/Disadvantages for Colonial Army
• Advantages
• Fighting For Livelihoods &
Independence
• Fighting on Own Turf
• Guerrilla Warfare
• Fight Inland—Minimize British Navy
• Superior Marksmen
• French Assistance (Gradually)
• Disadvantages
• No Professional Army (militia
only)
• Lack Officers
• Minimal Navy
• Poor Training/Morale
• Lack Training
• Inferior Weapons/ Supplies
• No Money
• Difficulty Coordinating Strategy
Among Colonies
• Divided Population
Fighting the War: Advantages/Disadvantages
of British
• Advantages:
• Strongest Military in World
• Disciplined; Well Paid; Well Fed
• Powerful Navy
• Superior Weapons/Supplies
• Support of Native Americans
• Why?
• Disadvantages:
• Need to Control Large Expanse of
Land
• Overconfidence
• Unfamiliar Terrain
• Fail to Adapt to Guerrilla Tactics
Washington’s Strategy…
• Live to Fight Another Day
• Drag Out the War…Why?
• All The Rebels Had to Do Was Tie to Win
• Guerilla Warfare
• Use of military tactics including ambushes, sabotage, raids, elements of
surprise and mobility, to attack a larger, more powerful, traditional army
• Only Engage When You Have Upper Hand
• Target Officers
Battle of Lexington and Concord
• British hope to prevent
bloodshed by disarming militia
outside of Boston
• Also seek to arrest Hancock and
Sam Adams
“Shot heard round the
World”
• What other major events
happened in Massachusetts?
Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775)
• Brits: over 1000 killed and
wounded
• Rebels run out of ammo; use
alternative methods
• Utilize artillery from Ticonderoga
That’s it! It’s on
America!!!
Significance of Bunker Hill
(June 75)
• King proclaims colonies in rebellion (took over a month for word to reach
England)
• 18,000 mercenaries hired/offers freedom to slaves who fight for Brits
• How would this increase Rebels support?
• Proves to rebels they can stand up to Brit. Army
Battle of Long Island
(Summer/Fall 76’)
• NY = focal point for communication
• Washington splits army between Manhattan and Long Island
• Look at the following map, Knowing what we do about the British military,
why was this a poor strategy and indefensible for the Rebels?
Battle of Long Island
• 2100 Americans killed, wounded, or captured
• 8,000 men ferried noiselessly on evening of Aug. 29, covered by fog
and extreme weather
• Washington’s men live to fight another day
• Why does Washington get in the habit of withdrawing?
Battle of Trenton ( Dec. 25, 1776)
• 3,000 Americans lost at Battle of Fort
Washington (November)
• What impact does Fort Washington
have on the Colonial army?
• How did the timing of the Battle of
Trenton impact the colonists success?
Battle of Trenton
Battle of Princeton (Jan. 1777)
• Washington gambles at Princeton
• Ambushes overzealous Brits
• Washington within 30 feet of the front
lines
Why was it critical for Washington to secure overwhelming
victories?
Battle of Princeton
• Significance:
•
•
•
•
•
Hope; many colonists on fences turn to rebels
Revives army
Washington learns not to fight main British army—focus on frontiers
Encouraged French to release military aide
British support for war slipping
Battle of Lexington and Concord (1775)
• 247 Brits killed or wounded; 88
Patriots
• Opening battle of the Revolution
• Pats. begin siege of Boston
• 2nd Continental Congress formed—
declare war; name Washington
commander
Battle of Trenton ( Dec. 25, 1776)
• Over 2,000 Americans lost at Battle of
Long Island
• 3,000 Americans lost at Battle of Fort
Washington (November)
• What impact does Fort Washington
have on the Colonial army?
• How did the timing of the Battle of
Trenton impact the colonists success?
Battle of Trenton
Battle of Saratoga (Oct. 1777)
• Most important battle:
• Brit goal: seize NY, sever NE from
U.S.
• Major American Victory!
• 6,570 out of 6600 British forces
captured
• Convinces French to support U.S. and
enter the war; Spain/Dutch soon
follow = World War
Why would the French want to get involved?
Battle of Yorktown (Oct. 1781)
• Why would Washington
draw Cornwallis to VA rather
than fight in NY?
• Last Battle of the Revolution
• Cornwallis absent from
surrender
School House Rock Video Clip
Analysis &Double Bubble
• Step 1:
• Complete the Articles of Confederation Critical Analysis with a partner
• Then, discuss as a group
• Discuss as a class
• Step 2:
• After completing an analysis of the Articles of Confederation, complete a
“Double-Bubble” Comparing the Articles of Confederation v. Constitution.
• Discuss as a class
Articles of Confederation (1781-1789)
• First American government
following the American Revolution
• Weak Central Government; Majority
of power to the states.
• “States keep their sovereignty,
freedom, and independence and every
power, jurisdiction, and right not
expressly delegated to the U.S. in
Congress.”
• Why?
Articles of Confederation: Government
Structure
• Unicameral Congress: Each State—
One Vote
• Why?
• No Executive or Judicial Branch
• Why?
• Impact?
Articles of Confederation: Congress
Weaknesses
• Army Dependent on State Militias…Why? Impact?
• Fear of Standing Army; Quartering Act
• Can’t Respond in crisis like Shay’s Rebellion
• No power to tax…why? Impact?
• No Revenue…No Power
• Request $16 mill…get $2 mill. (none from GA/NC)
• No power to regulate commerce (trade)…why? Impact?
• Exper. Under British (Brit. E. India); Intolerable Acts; Navigation Acts
• States tax each others goods; ban some trade; no credit; multiple currencies
• Economy on verge of collapse
• 9/13 states needed to ratify; 13/13 to amend
• Inflexible
Shays Rebellion
• Shays Rebellion
• Exposes inherent weaknesses of the
Articles of Confederation
• Final straw that led to the calling for
the Constitutional Convention & a
stronger central government
Constitutional Convention
(May 14, 1787- September 17,1787)
• Revise Articles of Confederation
• I.D. Impfections; State Bill of Rights; No Rel. Requirements; Strong Legislature
• Goal: Balance need for strong central govt., to preserve order, but not
threaten liberty
• AMAZING document, adaptable & flexible while providing structure &
organization
• What were the big issues at the conventions?
Key Word: Compromise
• Connecticut/Great Compromise: Virginia Plan + New Jersey
Plan
• VA Plan: Leg. Rep. based on state population (bicameral, 3
branches)
• NJ Plan: Leg. Rep. based on equality (unicameral, 3 branches)
• Great Compromise: Bicameral Congress (House & Senate)
• House of Representatives: Based on population
• Senate: Equal Representation
• Who Benefits More?
• 3/5 Compromise: Settles Issue of Slave Population
• What’s the issue?
• Commerce & Slave Trade
• Restricts action on slavery for 20 years
• Congress regulate trade; but can’t tax exports
5 Principles of Democracy
• Popular Sovereignty
• Separation of Powers
• Checks & Balances
• Judicial Review
• Federalism
5 Principles of Democracy
• Popular Sovereignty:
• “We the People”
• People source of govt. power
• People created the natl. govt.;
gave power st. & local gov
power
• Guarantees a Republic
• Limits: Why?
• Electoral College
• Selection of Senators
• Senators= 6 yr. terms
5 Principles of Democracy
• Separation of Powers
• Division of power into 3 branches
• Goal: Limit government
• Can be inefficient/fragment policymaking
Separation of Powers
5 Principles of Democracy
• Checks & Balances
• Each branch can limit the powers of the others
• No one branch becomes to powerful; limit government
Checks & Balances
6 Principles of Democracy
• Judicial Review
• Power of courts to determine the constitutionality of a law or executive
action
• Informal Amendment
• Marbury v. Madison
Brown v. Board of Education
5 Principles of Democracy
• Federalism:
• A system of government in which power is both divided & shared between a
central government & state/regional political units.
• 10th Amendment: “Those powers not delegated to the federal government,
nor prohibited to the states, are reserved for the states.”
Key Federalism Clauses
• Full Faith & Credit Clause:
• Each State has to honor the civil rulings and laws from other states; doesn’t
apply to criminal matters.
• Supremacy Clause:
• Constitution: Supreme Law of the Land
• Sets up the hierarchy w/ the U.S. Constitution at the top.
• Necessary & Proper Clause:
• Congress shall have power to make all laws necessary and proper to carry
out all other powers vested by Constitution in the government.
• Commerce Clause
• Congress’ power to regulate “interstate commerce”
Double Bubble
• Federalist v. Anti-Federalist
Ratification
• Requires 9/13 States…Really Need 13,
Why?
• The Great Debate: Federalists v. AntiFederalists
• Federalists
• Those who favored ratifying the new
constitution
• Anti-Federalists
• Against ratification; want strong state govt.;
fear big govt…loss of civil liberties
The Federalists
• The Federalist Papers: James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay
• Articles in support of the Constitution
• Federalist #10
• A Republic is best form of govt: efficient, gives people a voice while allowing for
a filter
• Large Republics…
• Check unworthy candidates…larger number of voters
• Smaller the # in a majority…more likely to have oppression
• Federalism is best (over unitary & confederate)
• Factions may kindle flames in states…but not at nat’l. level
• States: A laboratory for different policies
• Federalist 51
• Separation of Power & Checks and Balances will prevent government from
becoming abusive
The Anti-Federalists
• Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, Patrick
Henry
• Main Anti-Federalist Arguments
• No Bill of Rights
• Federal Government/Congress too strong
• Elastic Clause/Necessary and Proper Clause
• Supremacy Clause
• Elitist Rule
• Senate Selection, Electoral College
• Small Republics are best…
Ratifying the Constitution
• 9/13 states ratified the Constitution…but then came the battle for the
final 4 states… NY, VA, NC, RI
• What convinced these states to ratify the Constitution?
• Inclusion of a Bill of Rights
• 1st 10 Amendments to the Constitution
• Protect individual rights from government abuse
• What is included in this list of Civil Liberties?
The Bill of Rights
• Step 1:
• Each group should take their assigned amendment and put it into their own
words.
• Also, give a specific example of what that amendment protects against
• 1st Amendment: prevents newspapers from being censored by the government
• Step 2:
• Go around the classroom. Each group reports out to the class
• Step 3:
• Bill of Rights Scenarios: Race to be first
• Step 4:
• Daily Show Clip
http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/iiculo/weakconstitution
George Washington’s Presidency
• 1st President
•
•
•
•
•
Signed NW Ordinance
Estbl. Navy
Put down Whiskey Rebellion
Org. 1st U.S. Cabinet
Oversaw ratification of Bill of Rights
• Washington’s Farewell Address
• Warns of the danger of political parties
• Warns the nation not to get involved in entangling alliances
Expanding the Power of the Government
• Marbury v. Madison (1803)
• Established Judicial Review
• McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
• Supremacy Clause
• Necessary & Proper Clause
• Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)
• Commerce Clause
Place the Following Events in Chronological
Order
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Battle of Yorktown
Shay’s Rebellion
Constitutional Convention
Last of 13 British Colonies (Georgia) Estbl.
French & Indian War
Stamp Act
Battle of Lexington & Concord
Declaration of Independence
Slaves Arrive in America
Proclamation Act of 1763
Boston Tea Party
Jamestown Established
Constitution Ratified
Articles of Confederation Adopted
Place the following events in
Chronological Order
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Jamestown (1607)
Slaves in America (1619)
Last of 13 British Colonies Estbl. (1733)
French & Indian War
Proclamation Act of 1763
Stamp Act
Boston Tea Party
Battle of Lexington & Concord
Declaration of Independence
Battle of Yorktown
Articles of Confederation Adopted
Shay’s Rebellion
Constitutional Convention
Constitution Ratified