The Constitution

The problem with the United States government under the Articles of

Confederation was, in the words of George Washington, “no money”.

A Need for a Stronger Central Government:

• Became obvious in 1786 when farmers in western Massachusetts rose up in protest over increased state taxes

• Led by Daniel Shays, a group of 1,200 farmers marched to the arsenal at Springfield, Massachusetts

• State officials mustered up the militia and attacked the group of farmers, killing four

• Shay’s Rebellion, as the farmers’ protest came to be called, caused panic and dismay throughout the nation

Shays' Rebellion, mobbing "committees" disrupted 1780s cities in Ma, Ct, Pa, SC[8] Here, Paxtons threaten Philadelphia earlier.

Creating a New Government:

• Most delegates at the Constitutional Convention recognized the need to strengthen the central government

• Within the first five days of the meeting, the idea of fixing the Articles of Confederation was thrown out

• The delegates created the Constitution (1787) with three branches of government (federalism) or division of power, separation of powers (checks and balances) and the ability to change the Constitution (amendments)

The Philadelphia ConventionGeorge Washington will be President of the Convention, then President of the US

Preamble

• “ We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. ”

—United States Constitution, Preamble

Ratifying the Constitution:

• The Constitution had been created, but the new government could not become a reality until at least nine states ratified, or approved

• Thus the battle over ratification began• Federalists were supporters of the

Constitution and the balance of power between the states and the national government

• Antifederalists were against, or opposed having such a strong central government and wanted a Bill of Rights

Adoption of a Bill of Rights:

• The states had ratified ten amendments to the Constitution, which became known as the Bill of Rights

• The first eight amendments spell out the personal liberties the states had requested.

Madison's "Notes for speech on Constitutional amendments, June 8, 1789, in which he underlined the concept of "natural rights retained"

Bill of Rights– Guarantees citizens’ rights to freedom of religion,

speech, the press, and political activity– The Second and Third Amendments prohibit the

government from denying its citizens the right to bear arms as members of a militia, nor can the government house troops in private homes in peacetime

– The Fourth Amendment prevents the search of citizens’ homes without proper warrants

– The Fifth through Eighth Amendments guarantee fair treatment for individuals accused of crimes

• The Ninth and Tenth Amendments impose general limits on the power of the federal government