![[Taxes must] be equally & fairly
applied to all. To take from one,
because it is thought that his own
industry & that of his fathers has
acquired too much, in order to spare
[give] to others, who . . . have not
exercised equal industry & skill, is to
violate arbitrarily the first principle
of association, “the guarantee to
every one of a free exercise of his
industry, & the fruits acquired by
it.”](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/2constitution2classes-140112105819-phpapp01/85/2-constitution-2-classes-57-320.jpg)
2 constitution 2 classes
The document outlines the major events leading to the American Revolution and the establishment of the U.S. Constitution, detailing colonial grievances against British rule, the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, and the subsequent formation of the Articles of Confederation. It discusses the weaknesses of the Articles and the Constitutional Convention that created a new framework for government, addressing key issues such as representation and slavery. Finally, it touches on the ratification process, the Federalist Papers, and foundational principles regarding natural rights and the separation of church and state.
More Related Content
![3. shaping a new nation [1782 1788]](https://cdn.slidesharecdn.com/ss_thumbnails/3-shapinganewnation1782-1788-120927082859-phpapp01-thumbnail.jpg?width=640&height=640&fit=bounds)
![1[1].foundations of american government](https://cdn.slidesharecdn.com/ss_thumbnails/11-140907162831-phpapp01-thumbnail.jpg?width=640&height=640&fit=bounds)
![3.2 launching the new nation [1789 1816]](https://cdn.slidesharecdn.com/ss_thumbnails/3-2launchingthenewnation1789-1816-120929222510-phpapp01-thumbnail.jpg?width=640&height=640&fit=bounds)
Similar to 2 constitution 2 classes
2 constitution 2 classes
- 1.
- 2. British Restrictions and ColonialGrievances 1763: British Parliament passed laws taxing colonies easing French and Indian War debt.
- 3. Two taxes wereSugar and Stamp Act Colonists respond. Boycott English goods. Stamp Act repealed! Victory fostered hope and unity among colonists.
- 4. Further taxes ledto Boston Tea Party tax protest.
- 5. Thomas Paine wrote“Common Sense” (Jan 1776) 500,000 copies sold 1/6 of American population at time Key to changing direction of debate
- 6. Resolution for Independencein 2nd Continental Congress (7 June 1776) Absolved allegiance to Britain Necessary to form foreign alliances Confederation government Five appointed to draft declaration of independence
- 7. Actual committee offive: Sherman, Franklin, Jefferson, Adams, and Livingston.
- 8. Resolution for independence adoptedon 2 July 1776
- 9. John Adams letterto his wife, Abigail “July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever.”
- 10. “You will thinkme transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost to maintain this Declaration… Yet through all the gloom I can see rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see the end is worth more than all the means.”
- 13. The Declaration ofIndependence Preamble Laws of Nature & of Nature’s God Endowed by Creator… Right to abolish destructive government & replace with new government Written to provide evidence to world
- 14. The Declaration ofIndependence Dissolved political connection with Britain Full power to act independently Pledged unity under God Pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor
- 18. War for IndependenceFought and Won! Now What?
- 19. ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION Official title:Articles of Confederation & Perpetual Union Nation’s first Constitution Approved by Congress November 1777 Ratified by final state March 1781
- 20. • Reaction ToKing George III and centralized power • Didn’t Work • Federal Government Too Weak • States Too Strong
- 21. Weaknesses of Confederation Noseparate executive branch No direct power of taxation by Congress No court system to settle state disputes
- 22. Little respectfor national government Loss of unity & union among states Economic chaos (Shays' Rebellion)
- 23. Called todeal with weaknesses of Articles of Confederation Only 5 states attended Some wanted to completely abolish articles for a new constitution
- 24.
- 25. All states representedexcept RI Over half of 39 signers lawyers Half attended or graduated from college 33 served in Continental Congress Overwhelmingly Protestant; 2 Catholics George Washington, convention president Basis for change: Madison’s Virginia Plan
- 27. First Issue: StateRepresentation Consensus on need for representation Debate on manner of representation Large states: population (lower house) Small states: equal (upper house) CT Compromise: proportional in House, equal in Senate
- 28. Second Issue: Slavery& Representation count slaves for representation? South: count every slave! North: no slaves counted! No legal rights since considered property Governor Morris: “Are they men? Then make them citizens and let them vote. Are they property? Why then is no other property included?”
- 29. Compromise Solution Eachslave 3/5 of person (Wilson) In 20 years Congress committed to abolish slave trade
- 30. Purpose of convention: ~Set up framework for government ~ policy decisions made later
- 31. NO DEBATE NEEDEDHERE! RIGHTS ALL FOUNDERS AGREED SHOULD BE IN NEW CONSTITUTION… Right to Writ of Habeas Corpus Protection Against Ex-post Facto Law Protection Against Bills of Attainder
- 32. The longer Ilive, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: “that God governs in the affairs of men.” And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured... in the sacred writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this.
- 34. Constitution adopted September1787. Next… ratification by state conventions!
- 35. The Federalist Papers Arguments favoring ratification Best explanation of ideas expressed in Constitution Originally series of 85 newspaper articles in NY
- 36. John Jay: 1stChief Justice, Supreme Court Alexander Hamilton: 1st Secretary of Treasury James Madison: Secretary of State under Jefferson; 4th President
- 37. Message of Papers Advantages of union Disadvantages of disunion Defects of Articles Highlight key points in proposed Constitution
- 38. NATURAL RIGHTS INTHE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND AMERICAN CONSTITUTION?
- 39. Declaration of Independence “Wehold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”
- 40. United States Constitution •First Amendment: Does not say "The people shall have a right to freedom of speech." (given by government) Does say "Congress shall make no law… abridging freedom of speech." (preexisting) • Second Amendment: Does not say “The people have a right to keep and bear arms” (rights from government) Does say "the right of the people to keep and bear arms" (pre-existing rights)
- 41.
- 43. Preamble To… (Union better thanArticles of Confederation) (Justice threatened under Articles) (Tranquility: no more tax rebellions)
- 44. (Defense inadequate underArticles) (General Welfare distinguished from group welfare; laws that benefit everyone) (Desire to write a document that could stand the test of time)
- 45. Sec. 1: Compositionof Legislature Two-tiered: Senate & House Sec. 2: House of Representatives Two-year term Chosen by people of each state
- 48. Qualifications for representative •25 years of age • U.S. citizen for 7 years • Resident of state Representatives & direct taxes apportioned among states according to population Census every 10 years to determine representation Granted power of impeachment
- 49. Sec. 3: Senate Twosenators per state, chosen by state legislatures, 6-year terms • Altered by 17th Amend: direct election of people 1/3 of Senate chosen every 2 years Qualifications: • 30 years of age • U.S. citizen 9 years • Resident of state
- 50. • V.P., Presidentof Senate Votes in case of tie • Tribunal for impeachment proceedings Chief Justice presides over presidential impeachment 2/3 vote for impeachment Penalties: removal from office; disqualification for other offices Convicted party still liable to courts
- 51. Sec. 4: CongressionalElections & Meetings • States determine time, places, manner of elections • Congress must meet at least once per year!!!
- 53. Sec. 6: Privileges& Restrictions Legislators paid out of U.S. treasury Freedom from arrest while in session No prosecution for speeches on floor
- 54. Sec. 7: Legislation Lawsmust be approved by President President’s veto overridden by 2/3 vote each house Bills not acted upon by President in 10 days becomes law
- 55. If Congress adjournsbefore 10 days, bill will not become law… o Called a “pocket veto”
- 56. Sec. 8: TheTaxing Power Congressional Authority to Collect Taxes for 3 General Purposes Pay debts Provide for common defense Provide for general welfare of United States
- 57. [Taxes must] beequally & fairly applied to all. To take from one, because it is thought that his own industry & that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare [give] to others, who . . . have not exercised equal industry & skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, “the guarantee to every one of a free exercise of his industry, & the fruits acquired by it.”
- 58. The Story ofthe Little Red Hen
- 59. Sec. 9: Protectionof Rights of Citizens Prohibition of slave trade in 1808 Writ of Habeas corpus not to be suspended except in case of war No bill of attainder
- 60. Britain: legal judgmenton individual resulting in death. Does not allow descendants to inherit land. America: legislative process bringing accusations & punishment without trial by jury & due process
- 61. No ex postfacto laws Laws passed “after the fact” No subsequent trial for an action that was not illegal at time
- 62. Sec. 10: Restrictionson States Cannot… …enter treaties with foreign governments …coin money, print paper money No bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, or grant titles of nobility
- 63. Cannot lay taxeson imports or exports without consent of Congress $ Money collected to be for U.S. treasury Cannot declare war
- 64. “Now more thanever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature. If the next centennial does not find us a great nation... it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.”
- 65. Proposed by 2/3vote of Congress or 2/3 of state legislatures calling for convention 3/4 of states legislatures or conventions ratify amendments to become constitutional No amendment can deprive states of equal representation in Senate
- 67. WHO HAVE WENOT MENTIONED IN THIS PROCESS? Madonna? Lady Gaga? Spice Girls? Jay Z? Or….?
- 68. The President No powerto sign amendments No power to veto amendments Can politically support or oppose
- 69. Other Ways toChange Constitution not Mentioned in Constitution Informal Amendment Judiciary Review Popular Amendment
- 70. Amendment Process… Now governmentcould possibly cope with new and unforeseen problems. Any Constitutional change should be taken on with extreme caution. If process is rigorous, there will be ample time to consider merits of change.
- 71. Attempts to Amend Constitution 11,000amendments have been considered by Congress 33 submitted to states after being approved 27 ratified since 1789. 11,000 27
- 72.
- 73. Second Amendment “Awell regulated Militia, being necessary to security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Guarantees what? Right of states to organize national guard units or… Right of Individuals to possess firearms or… both?
- 74. The Battle ofAthens: Restoring the Rule of Law Uploaded on Dec 27, 2011: Battle of Athens was an armed rebellion led by WWII veterans and citizens in Athens and Etowah, Tennessee, against tyrannical local government in August 1946. (13:32) http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=play er_embedded&v=U5ut6yPrObw#!
- 75. Freedom of Religion Separationof Church and State • Where is term found?
- 76. Written in letterfrom Jefferson to Baptist Association of Danbury, CT Outside of Jefferson, no founder ever uttered phrase in writing or word Jefferson himself never used term again
- 77. What Did JeffersonReally Mean? No National Church: that’s it! Did not even disestablish state churches! Connecticut’s State Church (Congregationalist) disestablished in 1818… …sixteen years after Jefferson’s 1802 letter
- 78. “Congress shall makeno law neither respecting an establishment of religion nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
- 79. o To besupreme law of land o State laws cannot contradict Constitution o No religious test required to hold office
- 80. Nine states mustapprove Constitution for it to go into effect Constitution ratified in 1788; Washington unanimously elected by electoral college & took office in 1789
- 81. “We may... tracethe finger of Providence through those dark & mysterious events which first introduced the States to appoint a general Convention & then led them one after another... into Washington: letter an adoption of the to Jonathan system recommended by Trumbull (1788) that general Convention.”