APUSH Period 3: The Constitution PDF

**Period 3 \|** 1754-1800 **Topic 3.9 \| The Constitution** **AP Learning Objective J:** Explain the continuities and changes in the structure and functions of the government with the ratification of the Constitution. **Google Slides Version Linked [HERE](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1N...

**Period 3 \|** 1754-1800 **Topic 3.9 \| The Constitution** **AP Learning Objective J:** Explain the continuities and changes in the structure and functions of the government with the ratification of the Constitution. **Google Slides Version Linked [HERE](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1N4A4dnp7WM1zYtZoZB-qAGj_YI41GQq6rD0MkZ0eELw/edit?usp=sharing)** 1. **Constitutional Principles** a. The framers of the Constitution made **federalism** central to the structure of government. This was the division of power between the federal government and state governments. b. The federal government would handle issues that affected the entire country, like national defense and foreign affairs, and issues that crossed state boundaries. c. States, on the other hand, would be in charge of issues that affected *only* their state, like schools and local elections. d. The framers also incorporated the **separation of powers,** dividing powers among three main branches of government: i. Legislative Branch: Congress makes laws, passes taxes, and allocates spending ii. Executive Branch: led by the president, it recommends and carries out laws and federal programs iii. Judicial Branch: it consists of the Supreme Court and all lower federal courts, interpreting the laws and Constitution e. Lastly, the Constitution incorporated a system of **checks and balances,** creating ways each branch can limit the power of the others. f. For example, Congress can pass laws, but the president can veto laws and the Supreme Court can rule them unconstitutional. 2. **The Bill of Rights** a. In 1789, the first Congress acted quickly to approve **amendments** (or changes) to the Constitution to defend individual liberty. The ten ratified by the states in 1791 are known as the **Bill of Rights,** the first ten amendments to protect against abuses by the central (or federal) government. i. 1^st^ Amendment: The right to freedom of religion, speech, press, to petition, and the right to assembly ii. 2^nd^ Amendment: The right to keep and bear arms iii. 3^rd^ Amendment: No forced quartering (housing) of troops in private homes iv. 4^th^ Amendment: The right to protection from unreasonable searches and seizures \[arrests\] v. 5^th^ Amendment: The right to due process of law (fair treatment), no double jeopardy (can't be charged for the same crime twice) or self-incrimination ("I plead the fifth") vi. 6^th^ Amendment: Rights for those accused of crimes: the right to a speedy and public trial by jury, clear charges, and witnesses in defense, and to an attorney vii. 7^th^ Amendment: Right to a trial by jury viii. 8^th^ Amendment: Right to protection from cruel or unusual punishments ix. 9^th^ Amendment: Right to other rights not included in the Constitution x. 10^th^ Amendment: Powers that are not outlined in the Constitution for the national government are given to the states 3. **[Key Takeaways]** a. Delegates from the states participated in the Constitutional Convention that created a limited but dynamic central government embodying federalism and providing for a separation of powers between its three branches. +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Key Vocabulary** | | | | \[highlighted | | | | throughout PowerPoint | | | | and Lecture\] | | | +=======================+=======================+=======================+ | **Pink:** | **Green:** Very | **Yellow:** Somewhat | | fundamentally | important | important *("nice to | | important | | know")* | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **\[1\] | **\[2\] Bill of | | | Constitutional | Rights** | | | Principles** | | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | federalism | Bill of Rights | | | | | | | separation of powers | amendments | | | | | | | checks and balances | | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+