A New Plan of Government

1
A New Plan of Government

• Our Constitution
• Chapter 7, Section 3

2
Roots of the Constitution pages 207-208

• May 1787 all delegates (not RI) send delegates
• Decide to abandon Articles of Confederation
  instead of changing it
• Study previous govts to avoid mistakes

3
The Federal Systempages 208-209

• Federalism shared power between the federal
  and state governments
• Powers of the Federal Government tax, regulate
  trade, control currency, raise army, declare war
• Powers of the State Governments pass/enforce
  laws, regulate trade within its borders,
  establish schools, tax, build roads

4
Organization of Government 3 Articles pages
209-210

• Article 1 Legislative Branch Congress the
  House of Representatives and Senate
• Article 2 Executive Branch President carry
  out nations laws, armed forces, foreign
  relations
• Article 3 Judicial Branch Supreme Court
  sees cases involving Constitution

5
Checks and Balances pages 210-211

• Each branch monitors/limits the power of the
  other 2
• EXAMPLE
• The Supreme Court hears all cases regarding the
  Constitution
• President nominates judges
• Senate confirms or rejects

6
Amendments

• Very difficult process
• Step 1 the proposal 2/3 vote from both houses
• Step 2 the ratification ¾ of the states votes

7
The Debate Over the Constitution Page 211

• 9 states had to ratify (approve)
• Constitution was debated in newspapers, public
  meetings, conversations

8
Federalist or AntifederalistsPages 211-212
FEDERALIST ANTIFEDERALIST
Support Constitution GW, BF, JM, AH Fear disorder (Shays) Govt will maintain order Large landowners, their property will be protected Oppose Ratification George Clinton, Patrick Henry, TJ Liberties are being taken away Govt will ignore states No bill of rights
9
Ratify the Constitutionpage 213

• Delaware is the first to ratify
• New York and Virginia do not initially ratify
• In 1788 they ratify after Bill of Rights