creation of american government. a plan of government for the new nation
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CHAPTER 2Creation of American
Government
SECTION 1A Plan of Government
for the New Nation
New Nation
The end of the Revolutionary War cut all ties to England
The colonies were separate and needed to form a government
What was the first plan of government?
Second Continental Congress tried to create a plan to join the states together: Articles of Confederation
Kept a strong state government; weak central government
Set up a national congress: it would make war, treaties, and take care of financial needs
Didn’t provide for a national leader or system of justice
States found that the Articles of Confederation were too weak
Why didn’t the plan work?
War with England left American in considerable debt and we had no money
States also refused to pay any part of the debt
No system of law was permitted in the Articles of Confederation so couldn’t make the states pay
Businesses and farmers were out of money No funds to pay an army or navy Soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War
were never paid Constitutional Convention called to revise
Articles of Confederation
SECTION 2The Constitutional
Convention
Convention
Attendees of convention were well-educated me from cities
George Washington was the leader of the convention
Tried to revise the articles, however soon saw that they couldn’t (a new plan was needed)
Worked for four months to create a new plan
What plans were considered? Based on the idea of a federal government
The states would join together to form a country Power is shared between central government
and states Two forms of Government proposed:
Virginia Plan- Suggested by larger states, favored a strong central government. One executive branch and two law making bodies that are elected.
New Jersey Plan- Suggested by the smaller states, favored a greater power for each state. One part legislature and two or more executives. Legislature chosen by states and their leaders.
Both Plans: Federal government admits new states Supreme Court to make final decisions Finally decided to use parts of both plans
SECTION 3Compromises Made at the Convention
Compromises
At the Constitutional Convention each side had to compromise
Four Major compromises were made: How states would be represented How would slaves votes be counted Who would control trade among states Who would control trade between countries
How would states be represented?
How to create a legislature Connecticut suggested a two part
legislature to please both larger and smaller states
One part would be chosen by population and one part would have a set number, two
This became known as the Connecticut Compromise
How would slaves’ votes be counted?
Should slaves be counted the same as free men for tax collection and population purposes
Agreed to 5 slaves would count the same as 3 free men
Became known as the Three-Fifths Compromise
Who would control trade among the states?
North and South couldn’t agree on issues of foreign trade
North wanted federal government to control trade; whereas the South worried about their economy (they traded rice, tobacco, and slaves)
Finally agreed to allow federal government to control foreign trade however they couldn’t tax exports, only imports
By September 17, 1787 the delegates agreed on all compromises and the Constitution was signed
SECTION 4Guiding Principles of
the Constitution
Constitution
Constitution was carefully based on certain principles necessary for a democratic government Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers Checks and Balances
Popular Sovereignty & Limited Government
In popular sovereignty all power is held by the people through elected leaders
Limited Government sets limits on the power the government has
Government must obey laws, and nobody is above the law
Separation of Powers
Power was split into three departments Congress is the lawmaking branch,
couldn’t give anyone else the power to do so. Also, oversees appointments made by the President
Executive enforces laws, president can veto bills and can also appoint officials such as ambassadors
Judicial interprets laws and decides whether it agrees with the constitution or not; they also take care of the courts system
Checks and Balances Each branch has separate duties but
must act together in some cases Limits are placed on all branches so no
one becomes too powerful Each branch checks each other in their
jobs Supreme Court can not make laws, but
they can decide if a law is unconstitutional
Congress makes laws; however the president can veto them or approve them
Congress doesn’t appoint people to important government jobs; but does have to approve the Presidents choices
SECTION 5The Struggle for
Approval
Approval
Most delegates approved the Constitution Others worked hard to persuade the
states to ratify it Each state studied the Constitution and
approval of 9 of 13 states was needed before it could be used
Did people what the new Constitution?
Federalists favored the constitution because it had a strong central government plan
Felt it would keep the nation safe and united
Famous Federalists were Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay; they wrote essays to a New York paper
Anti-Federalists favored a stronger state government then the constitution allowed
They opposed the constitution because they felt it would take away many state and individual rights
How did they reach agreement?
Federalists agreed to amendments for people’s basic rights
The addition was made and known as the Bill of Rights
States deliberated more and in June of 1788 9 states ratified the Constitution
By 1790 all states had ratified
Where was the Constitution put in action?
Congress put the Constitution in action as soon as it was approved
New York was named temporary capitol Moved to Philadelphia the finally
Washington D.C. First elections held, with George
Washington as president 26 senators and 65 representatives were
elected from states Met for the first time on March 4, 1789 in
Federal Hall in New York
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