Standard SSUSH 5

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 US Constitution as put forth in The
Federalist concerning form of government, factions, checks and balances,
and the power of the executive branch, 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 Charles de 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].

Articles of Confederation
First form of government for America
Created a weak central government
States stronger than federal government
Greatest Law Northwest Ordinances
Shays Rebellion
Convinced many leaders that Articles of
Confederation needed to be revised or removed
Weakness of Federal government evident to all
Desire for stronger central government grows
Charles de Montesquieu
His ideas influenced James Madison father
of the Constitution
His ideas of separation of powers inspired
the three branches of the federal government
US Constitution
James Madison father of Constitution inspired by
Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, George
Washington
Constitution ideas inspired minorities to fight for their
rights throughout US History
Preamble, 7 Articles, Bill of Rights and 27 Amendments
Great Compromise
Compromise between large and small states
Combination New Jersey Plan and Virginia
Plan
Led to the creation of the bicameral
legislature Congress = House of
Representative and Senate
Also called Connecticut Compromise
proposed by Roger Sherman
Slavery
Three - Fifths Compromise
Used for increasing representation in Congress for
Southern States

Separation of Powers
Charles de Montesquieu = Spirit of the Laws
Legislative branch
Executive branch
Judicial branch
Key idea in the US Constitution
Congress
President
Supreme Court

Limited Government
"Limited government key government term

Purpose of limiting government's power

Declaration of Independence = "to secure these
rights"--to limit governments power to threaten
liberties.

"Limited - by a written Constitution

United States Constitution -"supreme Law of the Land

Executive Branch
President + Vice President = 4 year terms
Cabinet = 15 Departments
To enforce the laws of Congress
Article 2 of the Constitution
Checks and Balances
Each branch of the government stopping the other branch
of government Check
Each branch of government with different powers but co-
equal Balance
Federalists
Famous Federalists John Adams, Alexander Hamilton,
James Madison
Washington was not a Federalist but did favor their policies
Alexander Hamilton founded the Federalist Party to
support the creation of the US Constitution
Federalists favored ratification of the Constution and a
stronger central government
Anti-Federalists
Led by Thomas Jefferson
Against ratification of the Constitution
For strong state governments and a weak
central government
Responsible for Bill of Rights
The Federalist Papers
Series of Essays written mostly by James Madison
Alexander Hamilton and John Jay wrote some
Essays were published in Newspapers in order to
convince people to support ratification of
Constitution.
James Madison
Father of the Constitution
Main Author of Bill of Rights
Wrote most of the essays in The Federalist Papers
4
th
President of the United States
President of the War of 1812


Alexander Hamilton
Father of US Economy
First Secretary of the Treasury in Washingtons
Administration
Advocated for a Bank of the United States
One of the authors of The Federalist Papers
Founder of the Federalist Party
Advocated for a Strong Federal/Central Government
States Rights
Tenth Amendment gives States Sovereignty
Key idea in the American Revolution
Strong tradition in the South because of slavery
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
Anti-Federalists advocated for States have more
power than the Federal Government
Jeffersonian Republican Party supported States
Rights
Important concepts nullification,
interposition, sectionalism
Bill of Rights
First Ten Amendment to the Constitution
Protection from actions by the Federal
Government
Anti-Federalists argued for a Bill of Rights to
be included in the Constitution
14
th
Amendment incorporates the Bill of
Rights protections upon State government
actions
President George Washington
First President under the US Constitution
Set Precedents as President
Cabinet
Neutrality as US foreign policy
Legitimacy of Federal government laws
2 terms as President
Farewell Address
Warned against political parties
Warned against making foreign alliances
Warned against rising sectionalism between North
and South
Whiskey Rebellion
First rebellion under US Constitution
In Western Pennsylvania over whiskey taxes
As Commander-in-Chief, President George
Washington calls for troops from other states.
First time troops from other states used
against one states.
Washington established right of Federal
Government to Tax and send Troops into
states.
Political Parties
American Tradition Two Party System
Federalist Party vs. Jeffersonian Republicans
Blue [Donkey] = Democrat Party
Red [Elephant] = Republican Party
Always one party favors big government while other
party favors small government
Conservative vs. Liberal

Factions
James Madison concept from essay in
The Federalist Papers # 10
Madison argued that more factions in a large
country will ensure liberty for all
Factions act as a check/balance against other
factions
Factions today are called interest groups
John Adams
Father of the American Revolution
First Vice President in Washington Administration
First Federalist Party President
Greatest Achievement keeping America neutral
Greatest Failure signing into law the
Alien/Sedition Acts