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Unit 5 - Government

Unit 5

Government

How Will the New Country Govern Itself?

 

Articles of Confederation: Too Weak

Land Ordinances: Procedures for adding new states

Constitutional Convention: James Madison, Federalists,

Anti-Federalists

Compromises: Great Compromise, 3/5th Compromise

Principles: Popular Sovereignty, Limited Gov, Federalism,

Separation of Power

 


 

Articles of Confederation

 

 

The U.S. Constitution

Our Founding Fathers committed treason by writing the US Constitution.  Once they realized there was no way to “fix” the Articles of Confederation, they decided to OVERTHROW that government and rewrite a new one.

 

 

 

 

 

Legislative Branch 

 

 

Great Compromise – Combines the New Jersey Plan with the Virginia Plan, providing America with a bicameral legislature ie. the House of Representatives and the Senate.

 

House of Representatives -  representatives from each state are elected by the people of that state. Depending on the population - a state that has a large population will have more representatives than a state that has a low population.

 

Senate – comprised of 2 members from each state in the U.S. (making a total of 100 senators). This is done to appease the idea of States' Rights. 

 

3/5 Compromise – How the South is able to count their slaves toward their population in order to get MORE representation in Congress.  Every 5 slaves are counted as 3 persons towards population and taxation.

 

 

Can you answer these Questions?
  • Why is it important for citizens to know what's in the Constitution? Who interprets what the Constitution says, and how?

 

  • Discuss the Enlightenment. What were some of the ideas from the Enlightenment that went into the Constitution?

 

  • What document governed the United States before the Constitution? What were some of its faults?

 

  • What were some of the important compromises at the Constitutional Convention?

 

  • What is federalism? What are checks and balances?

Contact Brianna DiLorenzo

Classroom Number:
Rm 808
School Phone:
936-875-9295
Conference Time:
A-Days: 1:15 - 2:30 & B-Days: 9:35 - 10:45