SSUSH5 The student will explain specific
events and key ideas that brought about the
adoption and implementation of the
United States Constitution.
a. Explain how weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation and Daniel Shays’ Rebellion led to a call for a stronger central government.
b. Evaluate the major arguments of the anti-Federalists and Federalists during the debate on ratification of the Constitution as put forth in The Federalist concerning form of government, factions, checks and balances, and the power of the executive, including the roles of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.
c. Explain the key features of the Constitution, specifically the Great Compromise, separation of powers (influence of Montesquieu), limited government, and the issue of slavery.
d. Analyze how the Bill of Rights serves as a protector of individual and states’ rights.
e. Explain the importance of the Presidencies of George Washington and John Adams; include the Whiskey Rebellion, non-intervention in Europe, and the development of political parties (Alexander Hamilton).
b. Evaluate the major arguments of the anti-Federalists and Federalists during the debate on ratification of the Constitution as put forth in The Federalist concerning form of government, factions, checks and balances, and the power of the executive, including the roles of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.
c. Explain the key features of the Constitution, specifically the Great Compromise, separation of powers (influence of Montesquieu), limited government, and the issue of slavery.
d. Analyze how the Bill of Rights serves as a protector of individual and states’ rights.
e. Explain the importance of the Presidencies of George Washington and John Adams; include the Whiskey Rebellion, non-intervention in Europe, and the development of political parties (Alexander Hamilton).
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bill-of-rights-day-high-school-lesson.pdf | |
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Timeline
a. Explain how weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation and Daniel Shays’ Rebellion led to a call for a stronger central government.
Articles of Confederation and Shays’s Rebellion
The Articles of Confederation were written during the American Revolution. They
reflected Americans’ fear of a powerful national government. As a result, the Articles
created a government that had no executive branch and that lacked the power to tax,
regulate commerce, or establish a national currency. The Articles gave individual states
more power than the national government had. As a result, conflicts among the states
threatened the existence of the nation.
The political weakness of the United States and its potential for collapse left it vulnerable
to attack by foreign countries and convinced many influential Americans to support a
Constitutional Convention. Political leaders were further motivated by Shays’s
Rebellion, which they felt set a precedent for mob rule.
Daniel Shays led more than a thousand farmers who, like him, were burdened with
personal debts caused by economic problems stemming from the states’ RevolutionaryWar debts. Shays and his men tried to seize a federal arsenal in Massachusetts. This was
just one of many protests that debt-ridden farmers made during this period. Without the
power to tax, America’s weak government could not repair the national economy.
Responding to Shays’s Rebellion, George Washington supported the establishment of a
stronger central government. In May 1787, he was elected president of the Constitutional
Convention in Philadelphia, where he and the Founding Fathers created a federalist form
of government for the United States.
The Articles of Confederation were written during the American Revolution. They
reflected Americans’ fear of a powerful national government. As a result, the Articles
created a government that had no executive branch and that lacked the power to tax,
regulate commerce, or establish a national currency. The Articles gave individual states
more power than the national government had. As a result, conflicts among the states
threatened the existence of the nation.
The political weakness of the United States and its potential for collapse left it vulnerable
to attack by foreign countries and convinced many influential Americans to support a
Constitutional Convention. Political leaders were further motivated by Shays’s
Rebellion, which they felt set a precedent for mob rule.
Daniel Shays led more than a thousand farmers who, like him, were burdened with
personal debts caused by economic problems stemming from the states’ RevolutionaryWar debts. Shays and his men tried to seize a federal arsenal in Massachusetts. This was
just one of many protests that debt-ridden farmers made during this period. Without the
power to tax, America’s weak government could not repair the national economy.
Responding to Shays’s Rebellion, George Washington supported the establishment of a
stronger central government. In May 1787, he was elected president of the Constitutional
Convention in Philadelphia, where he and the Founding Fathers created a federalist form
of government for the United States.
b. Evaluate the major arguments of the anti-Federalists and Federalists during the debate on ratification of the Constitution as put forth in The Federalist concerning form of government, factions, checks and balances, and the power of the executive, including the roles of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.
Federalists and Anti-Federalists
Writing the Constitution was just the first step in creating the new government. Before
the Constitution could take effect, the states had to accept, or ratify, it. As soon as the
contents of the Constitution were published, a group of influential people spoke out
against it. These people came to be known as the anti-Federalists. They believed the
government created by the Constitution would be too powerful and would eliminate the
power of the states. They also argued that the Constitution did not describe the rights
guaranteed to the states and to each citizen.
To counter these claims, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and others wrote a series
of articles that supported ratification of the Constitution and explained the intent behind its
major provisions. These articles were known as The Federalist papers, so supporters of the
Constitution were known as Federalists. To overcome the anti-Federalist argument that the
Constitution failed to include a statement of states’ rights and individuals’ rights, Madison
created the Bill of Rights, which would be added to the Constitution after the Constitution
was ratified.
The Federalist papers, the promise of the Bill of Rights, and the efforts of Federalists
convinced a majority of voters to support the Constitution. It was eventually ratified and
became the basis for all law, rights, and governmental power in the United States.
Writing the Constitution was just the first step in creating the new government. Before
the Constitution could take effect, the states had to accept, or ratify, it. As soon as the
contents of the Constitution were published, a group of influential people spoke out
against it. These people came to be known as the anti-Federalists. They believed the
government created by the Constitution would be too powerful and would eliminate the
power of the states. They also argued that the Constitution did not describe the rights
guaranteed to the states and to each citizen.
To counter these claims, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and others wrote a series
of articles that supported ratification of the Constitution and explained the intent behind its
major provisions. These articles were known as The Federalist papers, so supporters of the
Constitution were known as Federalists. To overcome the anti-Federalist argument that the
Constitution failed to include a statement of states’ rights and individuals’ rights, Madison
created the Bill of Rights, which would be added to the Constitution after the Constitution
was ratified.
The Federalist papers, the promise of the Bill of Rights, and the efforts of Federalists
convinced a majority of voters to support the Constitution. It was eventually ratified and
became the basis for all law, rights, and governmental power in the United States.
c. Explain the key features of the Constitution, specifically the Great Compromise, separation of powers (influence of Montesquieu), limited government, and the issue of slavery.
The Great Compromise
One great issue facing the delegates to the Constitutional Convention was how differentsized
states could have equal representation in the new government. States with large
populations supported a plan to create a legislative branch in which representatives were
assigned based on each state’s population. States with smaller populations supported a
plan to create a legislative branch in which all states were equally represented.
Delegates to the Constitutional Convention settled the issue of representation in Congress
by approving the Great Compromise. This compromise helped “save” the Constitution by
settling the dispute between states with large populations and states with small
populations. The compromise called for the creation of a legislature with two chambers: a
House of Representatives, with representation based on population, and a Senate, with
equal representation for all states.
Slavery
Another divisive and controversial issue that confronted delegates to the Constitutional
Convention was slavery. Though slavery existed in all the states, southern states
depended on slave labor because their economies were based on producing cash crops.
When it became clear that states with large populations might have more representatives
in the new national government, states with large slave populations demanded to be
allowed to count their slaves as a part of their population. Northern states resisted. Both
sides compromised by allowing the states to count three-fifths of their slaves when
calculating their entire population. Also, to protect the practice of slavery, states with
large numbers of slaves demanded that the new government allow for the continuation of
the slave trade for 20 years and that northern states return runaway slaves to their owners.
Delegates to the Constitutional Convention agreed to these demands.
Separation of Powers
Despite the fact that most delegates to the Constitutional Convention believed the
government designed by the Articles of Confederation had to be replaced, many still
feared strong central governments. To reassure people that the new government would
not be too powerful, the framers of the Constitution created a limited government with
divided powers. The framers were greatly influenced by the ideas of the famed French
political thinker Charles de Montesquieu. The rights guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the
Constitution limited the power of the government.Powers were divided in two ways within the new government. First, power was divided
between national and state governments. Second, the power of the executive branch was
weakened because it was shared with the legislative and judicial branches. For example,
the legislature can override a presidential veto of a bill, and the Supreme Court can rule
that a bill signed by the president is unconstitutional. To further safeguard against an
abuse of power, the Constitution gave each branch of government a way to check and
balance the power of the other branches. An example of these checks and balances
would be the president’s power to veto laws passed by Congress.
One great issue facing the delegates to the Constitutional Convention was how differentsized
states could have equal representation in the new government. States with large
populations supported a plan to create a legislative branch in which representatives were
assigned based on each state’s population. States with smaller populations supported a
plan to create a legislative branch in which all states were equally represented.
Delegates to the Constitutional Convention settled the issue of representation in Congress
by approving the Great Compromise. This compromise helped “save” the Constitution by
settling the dispute between states with large populations and states with small
populations. The compromise called for the creation of a legislature with two chambers: a
House of Representatives, with representation based on population, and a Senate, with
equal representation for all states.
Slavery
Another divisive and controversial issue that confronted delegates to the Constitutional
Convention was slavery. Though slavery existed in all the states, southern states
depended on slave labor because their economies were based on producing cash crops.
When it became clear that states with large populations might have more representatives
in the new national government, states with large slave populations demanded to be
allowed to count their slaves as a part of their population. Northern states resisted. Both
sides compromised by allowing the states to count three-fifths of their slaves when
calculating their entire population. Also, to protect the practice of slavery, states with
large numbers of slaves demanded that the new government allow for the continuation of
the slave trade for 20 years and that northern states return runaway slaves to their owners.
Delegates to the Constitutional Convention agreed to these demands.
Separation of Powers
Despite the fact that most delegates to the Constitutional Convention believed the
government designed by the Articles of Confederation had to be replaced, many still
feared strong central governments. To reassure people that the new government would
not be too powerful, the framers of the Constitution created a limited government with
divided powers. The framers were greatly influenced by the ideas of the famed French
political thinker Charles de Montesquieu. The rights guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the
Constitution limited the power of the government.Powers were divided in two ways within the new government. First, power was divided
between national and state governments. Second, the power of the executive branch was
weakened because it was shared with the legislative and judicial branches. For example,
the legislature can override a presidential veto of a bill, and the Supreme Court can rule
that a bill signed by the president is unconstitutional. To further safeguard against an
abuse of power, the Constitution gave each branch of government a way to check and
balance the power of the other branches. An example of these checks and balances
would be the president’s power to veto laws passed by Congress.
d. Analyze how the Bill of Rights serves as a protector of individual and states’ rights.
The Bill of Rights protects states’ and individuals’ rights.
First Amendment: Guarantees freedom of religion, of speech, and of the press,
and the right to petition the government
Second Amendment: Guarantees the right to possess firearms
Third Amendment: Declares that the government may not require people to house
soldiers during peacetime
Fourth Amendment: Protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures
Fifth Amendment: Guarantees that no one may be deprived of life, liberty, or
property without due process of law
Sixth Amendment: Guarantees the right to a trial by jury in criminal cases
Seventh Amendment: Guarantees the right to trial by jury in most civil cases
Eighth Amendment: Prohibits excessive bails, fines, and punishments
Ninth Amendment: Declares that rights not mentioned in the Constitution belong to
the people
Tenth Amendment: Declares that powers not given to the national government
belong to the states or to the people
First Amendment: Guarantees freedom of religion, of speech, and of the press,
and the right to petition the government
Second Amendment: Guarantees the right to possess firearms
Third Amendment: Declares that the government may not require people to house
soldiers during peacetime
Fourth Amendment: Protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures
Fifth Amendment: Guarantees that no one may be deprived of life, liberty, or
property without due process of law
Sixth Amendment: Guarantees the right to a trial by jury in criminal cases
Seventh Amendment: Guarantees the right to trial by jury in most civil cases
Eighth Amendment: Prohibits excessive bails, fines, and punishments
Ninth Amendment: Declares that rights not mentioned in the Constitution belong to
the people
Tenth Amendment: Declares that powers not given to the national government
belong to the states or to the people
e. Explain the importance of the Presidencies of George Washington and John Adams; include the Whiskey Rebellion, non-intervention in Europe, and the development of political parties (Alexander Hamilton).
Presidency of George Washington
George Washington was elected the first president of the United States. He established
important patterns for future presidents to follow. Developments that altered the course of
the history of the U.S. government took place during his administration. Washington
favored nonintervention in Europe and avoided siding with France against Great Britain.
Instead, the United States persuaded Britain to forgive many pre-Revolutionary debts and
to drop certain restrictions on American trade with British colonies in the Americas. This
ushered in an era of booming trade with Britain.
Washington’s new government persuaded Congress to pass taxes on liquor to help pay
the states’ debt from the Revolutionary War. The tax hit the small whiskey-makers in
western settlements particularly hard because they made liquor using excess crops of
grain in order to make it easier to transport. They even used whiskey as a medium of
exchange. The Whiskey Rebellion resulted when, up and down areas west of the
Appalachians, armed violence broke out as farmers frightened and attacked federal taxcollectors. George Washington led a large militia force into the western counties and put
down the rebellion. Washington’s response showed his constitutional authority to enforce
the law and that if Americans did not like a law, the way to change it was to petition
Congress peacefully.
Political Parties
Washington was the most influential and popular figure in the United States. He
increased the prestige of his administration by making Thomas Jefferson his secretary of
state and Alexander Hamilton his secretary of treasury. Despite their talents and
reputations, Jefferson and Hamilton had significant differences of opinion about the
legitimate power of the United States government. Jefferson believed that the national
government must limit its power to those areas described by the Constitution, while
Hamilton wanted to expand the power of the government to stabilize the nation and its
economy.
When Washington announced he would not seek a third term as president, the two men
and their supporters attacked one another and competed to replace him. Things got so bad
that, in his farewell address, Washington warned about the dangers of political parties
(factions).
Presidency of John Adams
The election of 1796 was a bitter contest between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson,
with Adams winning by a small margin. Like Washington, Adams set examples that
influenced future presidents as well as the course of American history. However, his
administration was plagued by conflicts with France and Great Britain that crippled the
nation’s economy, and he received harsh political criticism from supporters of Vice
President Jefferson. To aid Adams, Congress passed laws that increased citizenship
requirements so that Jefferson could not receive support from the immigrant community.
Congress also tried to stop the criticism with attempts to limit the speech and press rights
of Jefferson’s followers. Jefferson and Madison then argued that states could refuse to
enforce federal laws they did not agree with. This
was the beginning of the states’ rights concept.
George Washington was elected the first president of the United States. He established
important patterns for future presidents to follow. Developments that altered the course of
the history of the U.S. government took place during his administration. Washington
favored nonintervention in Europe and avoided siding with France against Great Britain.
Instead, the United States persuaded Britain to forgive many pre-Revolutionary debts and
to drop certain restrictions on American trade with British colonies in the Americas. This
ushered in an era of booming trade with Britain.
Washington’s new government persuaded Congress to pass taxes on liquor to help pay
the states’ debt from the Revolutionary War. The tax hit the small whiskey-makers in
western settlements particularly hard because they made liquor using excess crops of
grain in order to make it easier to transport. They even used whiskey as a medium of
exchange. The Whiskey Rebellion resulted when, up and down areas west of the
Appalachians, armed violence broke out as farmers frightened and attacked federal taxcollectors. George Washington led a large militia force into the western counties and put
down the rebellion. Washington’s response showed his constitutional authority to enforce
the law and that if Americans did not like a law, the way to change it was to petition
Congress peacefully.
Political Parties
Washington was the most influential and popular figure in the United States. He
increased the prestige of his administration by making Thomas Jefferson his secretary of
state and Alexander Hamilton his secretary of treasury. Despite their talents and
reputations, Jefferson and Hamilton had significant differences of opinion about the
legitimate power of the United States government. Jefferson believed that the national
government must limit its power to those areas described by the Constitution, while
Hamilton wanted to expand the power of the government to stabilize the nation and its
economy.
When Washington announced he would not seek a third term as president, the two men
and their supporters attacked one another and competed to replace him. Things got so bad
that, in his farewell address, Washington warned about the dangers of political parties
(factions).
Presidency of John Adams
The election of 1796 was a bitter contest between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson,
with Adams winning by a small margin. Like Washington, Adams set examples that
influenced future presidents as well as the course of American history. However, his
administration was plagued by conflicts with France and Great Britain that crippled the
nation’s economy, and he received harsh political criticism from supporters of Vice
President Jefferson. To aid Adams, Congress passed laws that increased citizenship
requirements so that Jefferson could not receive support from the immigrant community.
Congress also tried to stop the criticism with attempts to limit the speech and press rights
of Jefferson’s followers. Jefferson and Madison then argued that states could refuse to
enforce federal laws they did not agree with. This
was the beginning of the states’ rights concept.