The Constitution of the United States of America: Study Guide
SWBAT:
1) Describe the two compromises regarding the issue of slavery.
2) Describe and explain the role of each of the Three Branches of the US government.
3) Explain principles of Checks and Balances and give examples of how each branch is
effected by the others.
4) Discuss how the Constitution
a) Prevents a Tyranny
b) Restrains a Mob
Articles of Confederation proved to be too weak to handle the affairs of the nation
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Could not prevent or protect against mobs
Could not guarantee the rise of tyranny in any particular state
A constitutional convention was called together to discuss changes to the Articles of
Confederation
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Philadelphia, May 25, 1787
George Washington was elected President of the Convention
Members quickly decided AoC could not be fixed and a new constitution was needed
The talks were held in secret to allow for open and honest discussion and prevent
arguments against changing the AoC
Guiding Principles of the Convention
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prevent a tyranny
restrain the mob
Main Points
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The states were too strong and a weak federal/national government might allow a
tyranny to rise
The national government needed more power, especially to tax
Disagreements about

Representation, Big States vs Small States
-By population or by state?
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Slavery
First Suggested Plan (Big State Plan)
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called the Virginia Plan
suggested three branches
1.
Bicameral (two house) Legislature
 States represented in two houses, based on population
 Lower house elected by the people according to population
 Upper house to be elected by lower house
 power to tax, regulate trade, make treaties with other nations
2.
Executive
3.
Judiciary
Second Plan (Small State Plan)
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called New Jersey Plan
 Unicameral (One House) Legislature
 One vote for each state
 Power to tax and regulate trade
The Great Compromise (create a way to get equal representation for the smaller states)
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1.
2.
After weeks of debate and small states threatening to quit, a compromise was reached
The Legislature would be bicameral…
The House of Representatives: each state gets 1 representative per 40,000 residents
The Senate: each state gets 2 Senators. elected by the state governments (this will
change)
Slavery
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How would slaves be represented?
Southern states wanted them counted for representation but not for taxing (they
certainly could not vote)
Northern states wanted them counted for taxing but not representation (since they
were not free).
Southern states threatened to drop out of the USA if slavery or the slave trade were
outlawed.
Compromises over Slavery
•
The Three-Fifths Compromise: 3/5ths of the slave population would be counted for
both taxing purposes and for representation in the House of Representatives.
•
The importation of slaves into the USA would not be interfered with by the national
government for 20 years, which was 1808.
•
In 1808, it was ended.
The Three Branches of Government
Also!
Be Sure to use your notes from the Constitution Search Activity