Chapter 10 A New Government Begins Pages 366

Chapter 10 A New Government Begins Pages 366 -387

Approving the Constitution Lesson 1 pages 367 -371 • Even though the delegates at the Constitutional Convention had approved the Constitution it wasn’t a law yet – The states still needed to ratify (agree to it) the Constitution.

State Ratifying Conventions • Each state had its own ratifying convention – Delegates at the convention debated the Constitution • Some liked it • Some didn’t like it

The Constitution’s Big Problem • Problem – A lot of states thought the Constitution needed to list all of the things the government could not do in order to protect people and states. • Solution – To take care of this problem, supporters of the Constitution promised to add a list of rights after the Constitution was ratified

The Vote • Each state had to vote for the Constitution – Not everyone supported the Constitution • Federalists – People who supported the Constitution because they wanted a strong national government • Anti-Federalists – People who opposed the Constitution because they didn’t want a strong national government unless a bill of rights was added

The Vote Continued • The Federalists and Anti-Federalists debated the merits of the Constitution using newspapers – People heard about the debates by reading and by listening at community meetings and church • Eventually each state approved the Constitution – See map and diagram on page 369

Questions • Did everyone support the Constitution? • Why didn’t they support it? • Write: Tell which two groups argued about the Constitution and what they each believed.

The Bill of Rights Lesson 2 Pages 374 -377 • After the Constitution was ratified, it was changed. – The changes are called amendments • There were 10 amendments , which are known as the Bill of Rights, because they describe freedoms government can not take away and actions the government can not take

First Amendment • Says – People can follow any religion they want – People have freedom of speech – People have freedom of press – People can hold meetings to discuss problems – People can complain to the government • We have the right to say what we want to and go to whatever church we want to

2 nd Amendment • Protects people’s rights to have weapons – We can have guns at our homes

3 rd Amendment • Government can not force people to pay for quartering or housing soldiers – Remember the British did this before the Revolutionary War

4 th Amendment • Government can’t search your house without a good reason – Police need a search warrant. They can’t just search your house

5 th – 8 th Amendments • All have to do with going to court – Right to a public trial – Do not have to testify against yourself – Have the right to a lawyer – Can’t be tried twice for the same crime – Can’t be given a “cruel or unusual” punishment

9 th Amendment • Says citizens have rights that are not listed in the Constitution such as “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. ”

10 th Amendment • National Government can only do things listed in the Constitution • All other authority belongs to the states or to the people

Questions • What does the Bill of Rights do? • What freedoms does it protect? • What amendments do you think are most important?

Citizens’ Responsibilities • Citizens have to do certain things to make our government work – They need to obey laws – They need to vote in elections – They need to be ready to serve in armed forces – The must participate in juries – They must pay taxes

Would the U. S. last • The founders weren’t sure the new government would last because they weren’t sure if citizens would fulfill their duties.

Questions • What are the responsibilities of citizens? • Which responsibility is the most important?

The New Government Lesson 3 pages 378 -384 • New Leaders – First President was George Washington • He started his job on April 30, 1789 – Supreme Court • John Jay was first chief justice – The Cabinet: President’s most important advisors • • Thomas Jefferson was secretary of state Alexander Hamilton was secretary of treasury Henry Knox was secretary of war Edmund Randolph was Attorney General

Thomas Jefferson- Secretary of State • Dealt with other countries • Tried to set up ties with Spain, France, and Great Britain

Alexander Hamilton Secretary of Treasury • In charge of printing and coining money • With Congress, he • Set up a new banking system • Passed new tax laws

Henry Knox – Secretary of War • Had to build national army to defend the country

Edmond Randolph – Attorney General • Explained laws to the President – Told President what he could and couldn’t do

Questions • Who were the new leaders under the Constitution? • What did they do?

New Disagreements • Just like when they were colonies, just like when they were under the Articles of Confederation, just like when they were writing the Constitution, people couldn’t agree on what governments should and shouldn’t do • Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton were the leaders of the two sides

1 st Disagreement • Jefferson’s people wanted a weak national government – Wanted states to have more rights • Hamilton’s people wanted a strong national government – Didn’t trust the states to do the right thing

2 nd Disagreement • Jefferson said national government only had powers described in Constitution and state had all other authority • Hamilton said national government had more powers than those listed in Constitution and should be involved in everything

3 rd Disagreement • Jefferson wanted a nation of farmers • Hamilton wanted a nation of cities with ports and factories

4 th Disagreement • Jefferson thought U. S. should have close ties with France • Hamilton wanted U. S. to be friendlier with Britain

The First Political Parties • Not everyone agreed with each other, so they started two political parties • Political Parties are groups of people who share similar political views

First Party - Federalists • Hamilton’s followers became Federalists – Were strong supporters of the Constitution

2 nd Party - Republicans • Jefferson’s followers became Republicans – Wanted a weaker national government

Compromises • Even though they argued they still compromised to pass laws – Example: The two sides agreed to build a permanent national capital that wouldn’t be a part of any state. The location eventually was named Washington D. C.

Questions • Did everybody just agree with each other after the Constitution was ratified? What did they disagree about? • Do we still argue about what to do?

A Peaceful Change in Leadership • Washington was reelected President in 1792 • Washington refused to run again in 1796 • How is this similar to today?

The Candidates • This meant the U. S. needed to elect a new president • The Federalists nominated John Adams and the Republicans nominated Thomas Jefferson • How is this similar to today?

The Campaign • The two parties argued who had a better candidate. – They often called each names • Similarities to today:

The Election • Adams had the most Electoral College votes and became the second President of the United States. • Thomas Jefferson came in second and became Vice President • How is this similar to today?

Historic Moments • This was one of the first times that a nation had changed leaders with a peaceful election – Normally leaders were changed through natural death or violence • Adams became the first President to live in the White House • How is this similar to today?

Questions • Compare John Adams election to President to today’s Presidential election process?