Download Chap 8 - Sec 3

Chapter 8, Section 3
 The
framers of the Constitution designed
a republic- a government in which
citizens rule themselves through elected
representatives.
 The
Magna Carta
(1215)– citizens have
certain rights, and no
one is ‘above’ the law.
 The English Bill of
Rights (1689) – further
limited the monarchy
and protected the
rights of citizens.
 The Virginia
House of
Burgesses (1619) –
America’s 1st
representative
government
 Mayflower Compact
(1620) – 1st document
of self-government in
North America
 The
Enlightenment – the belief
that society can be improved
through the use of science and
reason.
 John
Locke – English
Enlightenment thinker.
• In 1690, declared everyone had a
right to life, liberty, and property.
• Declared that citizens have a right to
rebel against a government/leader if
their rights are violated.
 Montesquieu
– French
Enlightenment thinker.
• In 1748, stated government should
be divided into 3 brancheslegislative, executive, and judicial.
 “Separation
of Powers” –
dividing a government into
different branches, so no one
branch becomes too
powerful.
a
system of government in which power
is shared between the central (or federal)
government and the states.
Statescertain powers
reserved for
them.
Shared
Powers
NationCertain powers
reserved for
central
government.
Powers Delegated to the
National Government
•Regulate
interstate/foreign trade
•Set standard
weights/measures
•Create/maintain
armed forces
•Copyright/patent laws
•Establish post offices
•Establish foreign
policy
•Create federal courts
•Coin money
•Declare war
•Admit new states
Shared Powers
(Concurrent)
•Provide for public
welfare
•Administer criminal
justice
•Charter banks
•Raise taxes
•Borrow money
Powers Reserved to the
States
•Create corporation
laws
•Regulate trade within
state
•Establish/maintain
schools
•Establish local
governments
•Make laws about
marriage and divorce
•Conduct elections
•Provide for public
safety
 Americans
began to debate the new
Constitution for months.
 The
document had been widely
distributed in newspapers and
pamphlets across the country.
 The
framers suspected that people might
be afraid the Constitution would take too
much power from the states.

Federalists- those who supported the Constitution.

Felt that the Articles of Confederation were too weak.

Wanted the national government to have more
power.

Expressed their views through a series of essays
known as The Federalist Papers.
• Authors were three well known politicians- James Madison,
Alexander Hamilton, & John Jay.
• Called for ratification of the Constitution.

Appealed both to reason and emotion, described
why people should support ratification.

Believed the Constitution took too much power
away from the states.

Did not guarantee rights for the people.

Feared the elected president might be declared
king.

Feared Senate might become a powerful ruling
class.

Antifederalists received support from rural
areas.
 At
least 9 of the 13 states had to ratify
(approve) the Constitution before it could
go into effect.
 1787
& 1788 – each state held a
convention to decide whether or not to
ratify the Constitution.

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


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
1. Delaware, December 7, 1787
2. Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787
3. New Jersey, December 18, 1787
4. Georgia, January 2, 1788
5. Connecticut, January 9, 1788
6. Massachusetts, February 6, 1788
7. Maryland, April 28, 1788
8. South Carolina, May 23, 1788
9. New Hampshire, June 21, 1788

Ratification was completed on June 21, 1788.

The Constitution was later ratified by Virginia (June
25, 1788); New York (July 26, 1788); North Carolina
(November 21, 1789); Rhode Island (May 29, 1790);
Vermont (January 10, 1791)
 Thomas
Jefferson wanted to add a bill of
rights- a formal summary of citizens’
rights and freedoms.
 Antifederalists wanted written
guarantees that the people would have:
•
•
•
•
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Freedom of speech.
Freedom of the press.
Freedom of religion.
Right to a trial by jury.
Right to bear arms.


James Madison, submitted
ten amendments to the
first Congress in 1789.
Congress proposed that
the ten amendments be
placed at the end of the
Constitution in a separate
section.

Became known as the Bill
of Rights.

Ratified, December 15,
1791