The Three Fifths Compromise, or Federal ratio, was a document that assured the House of Representatives would maintain 47% southern representatives.

The name was derived from the political idea that slaves were not full citizens and could not cast votes equal to white people. However, in order for the House of Representatives to keep track of each state’s individual populations, the enumerated population of slaves would be accounted for three-fifths of a person.

This compromise was intended to serve as a guideline for taxation purposes and appointment of representatives in the House.

The Three Fifths Compromise also raised the southern state’s power in the House enough to prevent attacks on slavery but not enough that the north would be influenced into condoning slavery as well.

* Created at the Philadelphia Convention of 1787* Proposed by delegates James Wilson and Roger Sherman

Separation of PowersSeparation of Powers refers to the separation of the government and

what responsibilities they have.There are three branches of government:-Legislative, makes laws and handle the money the government needs to

run.-Executive, responsible for making sure the laws the legislative branch

put through are implemented.-Judicial, responsible for interpreting the Constitution and laws brought

before them. Each of these branches have different responsibilities and powers. The

term “separation of powers” is often confused with “checks and balances” which makes sure that each branch of the government doesn’t overstep their powers.”Separation of powers” refers to the “what”; “checks and balances” refers to the “how”.

Checks and BalancesBook definition:

A constitutionally mandated structure that gives each of the three branches of government some degree of oversight and control over the actions

of others

The “checks and balance” system was created to make sure that one branch of government wasn’t

too powerful or do something unruly.

BASICALLY...

**This is different from separations of powers. Checks and balances make sure that the three branches do their jobs while separation of power lay out what

each branch is responsible for. **

Example: VetoThe Executive branch can create a law, but if the

president doesn’t agree with it, he or she can veto it.

Federal System● the system of government

chosen by the FramersIn this system, the government is divided into two parts:1. A strong national

government2. The government of

the individual states

The national government is always supreme. This comes from the belief that government power comes from the citizens.

Enumerated PowersDefinition: 17 distinct powers that were given to Congress under Section 8 of the 1st Article of the Constitution.

● These powers were previously denied under the Articles of Confederation, for fear that Congress would be granted too much authority.

● The enumerated powers include:- the power to regulate commerce with between states, and

within foreign nations-the authority to coin money-the ability to raise and support armies-the ability to create post offices and post roads-the ability to promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts-also includes the Necessary and Proper Clause

Necessary and Proper Clause

This clause was added to article 1 to make all laws that shall be deemed necessary.

1. Often referred to as the elastic clause because it has the power to change.

2. A clause that allows the government to make laws on any subject not discussed in the Constitution 3. Has been used to create

laws that regulate the environment, welfare programs, education, and communication

Implied Powers

�Implied Powers from enumerated powers and the necessary and proper clause.

��Considered reasonably implied

through the exercise of delegated powers.

� The proper clause is the basis �

for the Implied Powers that congress uses to execute its other powers.

Full Faith and Credit Clause● Definition- Part of the Constitution that requires states to respect the

laws and court decisions of other states.

● Purpose- To make government run smoothly and to prevent futureissues between states.

● Makes states respect one another and honor their decisionswithout question.

● Article IV is also responsible for explaining how new statesare created and admitted.

Cindy Snyder, Period 3

Supremacy Clause• Portion of Article VI of the Constitution that asserts national

laws and treaties take precedence over state laws and constitutions.

• “Supreme law of the land”

• All national and state officers and judges are bound by national law, and must take an oath to support the federal Constitution.

• Without the supremacy clause, the national government would have no enforceable power.

• It also specifies the separation between church and state and how a religious test shall not be required for holding office, which was established to prevent future problems if church and state became too close.

● believed that by creating a stronger national government, the Constitution would enable the U.S. to survive among the competing powers of Europe and provide a surer safeguard for liberty at home

Alexander Hamilton

John Adams

● Above all, were in favor of a strong federal government presence in the nation.

FEDERALISTS● Notable Federalists

include:● Federalists were in favor

of a significant federal involvement in state as well as national affairs

Anti-Federalists* Those who favored strong state governments and a weak national government

* Opposed ratification of US government

Why Oppose Ratification?* Feared that chief executive would abuse power

Who were they?* George Mason* Patrick Henry* Elbridge Gerry

Federalist Papers

-The Federalist Papers were a total of 85 essays that explained what the Framers’ intentions were for the Constitution. The writers wanted to secure its ratification by writing about the Articles of Confederations faults and this new constitution’s strengths.

-Writing under the alias “Publius,” Latin for “the people,” Alexander Hamilton wrote 51, James Madison wrote 26, together they wrote three, and John Jay wrote five of the articles.-The three wrote to newspapers all over New York between October 1787 to May 1788.-Anti-Federalists struck back with their own essays under the names Cato and Brutus, ancient Romans intolerant of tyranny.

Bill of RightsThe first ten amendments to the United States

Constitution, which largely guarantee specific rights and liberties.

Ratified by 1791Sought by Anti-Federalists as a protection for individual liberties -offered specific limitations on the national government’s ability to interfere with personal liberties Protection of personal rights: -First Amendment- freedom of expression, speech, press, religion, and assemblyAmendment created in reaction to British rule: -Second Amendment- the right to bear arms -Third Amendment- the right not to have soldiers quartered in private homesOther rights guaranteed: -Ninth Amendment- these enumerated rights are not inclusive, meaning they are not the only rights to be enjoyed by the people -Tenth Amendment- powers not given to the national government are reserved by the states or the peopleContained safeguards for those accused of crimes: -Amendments Four through Eight

AmendmentAn amendment is a minor

change of a document. ● An amendment must be ratified before it can be

used. ● There are two steps in the ratification process

that include:○ A favorable three fourth vote of the state

legislatures○ A favorable vote at a ratifying convention in

three fourth of the states

● An example of an amendment is the 21st (repealed the 18th amendment) amendment which repealed the 18th amendment (outlawing the sale of alcohol) in the Constitution.

RatificationPROCESS:

How it Applies Us In the Present Day

-The smaller states like Delaware and New Jersey ratified the constitution before the larger states could change their minds on the equal representation in the Senate. (then PA and MA)- New Hampshire was the critical 9th state to ratify on June 21, 1788. Two largest states (NY and VA) had not ratified the constitution yet and the race was on to convince the majority in each state to ratify. -Some states like NC and RI were very firm about their stance. They refusedto ratify the constitution because it neglected to include ANti-Federalist views. -Bill of Rights was submitted for the states ratification. When there were threats of the largest cities threatening to succeed, the legislature called a convention which ratified the Constitution by two votes.

-think about how differently it could have worked out had the states not ratified the Constitution in the order they did and for the reasons they did-Federalists at the time would have said that if the Constitution was not ratified, there would be chaos and no structure to the lives and governing of the people

How the States Were Divided