CHAPTER 5 SECTION 2 Drafting the Constitution Agreement

CHAPTER 5 SECTION 2 Drafting the Constitution

Agreement and Disagreement � Agree -need national government (regulate commerce and power to tax) -guard against the abuse of power (separation of powers) -limit government powers (state and national) � Disagree -number of representatives for each state -power of national government

Constitution Begins � Constitutional Convention (May 25 th 1787) -PA State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia -presiding officer. George Washington

Hamilton and Madison � � Alexander Hamilton -praised British constitution -advocated a strong national government- with elements of aristocracy, monarchy, and republicanism James Madison -favored republicanism over British model -a large republic with diverse interests would best preserve the common good

Madison’s Plan (Virginia Plan) page 145 � Madison’s Plan -James Madison (Virginia) -strong national government -with separation of powers -Legislature- House of Representatives -people elect directly -seats based on population - Senate -House would choose -seats based on population *What powers did Madison’s Plan give the President?

The New Jersey Plan � � Virginia -state’s population -Problem: larger states would out-vote them New Jersey -William Paterson (N. J. ) -one-house legislature -each state have equal number of voters -executive committee rather than President *remain a loose confederation *What was the problem with this plan?

Reaching Compromise � The Great Compromise -Roger Sherman (Connecticut) -Bicameral Legislature -House of Representatives: elected based on population -Senate: each state would have two senators (regardless of population) *How does this ensure fairness?

The Signing � September 17 th 1787 -39 delegates signed the Constitution � To go into effect, the Constitution had to be ratified, or approved, by at least nine state conventions

Goals of Our Government � Constitution -begins with the Preamble, or introduction -Framers list six goals of our government “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”

Goals of Our Government � Six Goals 1. To Form a More Perfect Union 2. To Establish Justice 3. To Insure Domestic Tranquility 4. To Provide for the Common Defense 5. To Promote the General Welfare 6. To Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and Our Posterity

Goals of Our Government Six Goals 1. unite the 13 separate states under an effective national government 2. legal system that seeks fair ways to settle disputes between individuals, individuals and the government, states, and between national and state governments 3. establish a peaceful society where people are protected from the unlawful acts of others 4. protect citizens from attacks by other countries 5. create conditions that will benefit all Americans 6. protects the liberty of all citizens and for future Americans- our posterity- or descendants �

The Articles � Following the Preamble… -Articles (7 Parts) -divided into subsections called clauses -Amendments