Social Studies Chpt. 6 - A New Nation

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A New Nation

Articles of Confederation, Creating the Constitution, 
The Bill of Rights, Key Concepts of the Constitution
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Lesson 1 - The Articles of Confederation

• After the Revolutionary War, the Articles of Confederation were put into place to govern the colonies.
• The Articles gave more power to each of the 13 colonies than to one central government because there was a fear that one central government would turn into another Parliament like they had back in England.
• This was not America's first constitution but was our first attempt at governing ourselves.  
• It was a very weak form of government.  

Watch the video to find out why!

Lesson 1 -  Vocabulary:  

Articles of Confederation,  legislative,  judicial,  executive,  ratify,  inflation,  ordinance

Look these words up in your social studies text and be familiar with them.

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Lesson 2 - Creating the Constitution

• Representatives or delegates from the colonies came together at the Constitutional Convention in 1787.  Some wanted to strengthen the Articles of Confederation and some wanted to write a whole new constitution.
• George Washington was elected as the President of the Constitutional Convention.  This happened BEFORE he was elected as President of the United States.
• Two plans were presented, but no one could agree.  A compromise plan between the first two plans was presented which became known as The Great Compromise.  It was agreed upon by the delegates.
• The Preamble (introduction) expressed the main goals of the new constitution.  
• The constitution included ways for one branch to "check the power" of another so that it didn't turn into a similar version of a king and Parliament.  This is known as "checks and balances".

• You will be learning the Preamble as a test grade. 

Watch the video below to learn the Preamble.  

The only part of the song you will need to remember from the video is the Preamble part
(starts with "We the people").

Please learn the song in the video, so you don't look like Barney as you take the Preamble test.  YES, it is a test grade.

Lesson 2 Vocabulary:
delegate,  constitution,  compromise,  Preamble,  separation of powers,  
checks and balances,  veto
Look these words up in your social studies text and be familiar with them.

Preamble Game - See how many words you can fill in!
This will help you study for the Preamble test.

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Lesson 3 - The Bill of Rights

• Some citizens supported the constitution (Federalists) and some did not (Anti-Federalists).
• Some (Anti-Federalists) believed that the constitution needed a "bill of rights" to protect citizens' basic rights.
• The constitution was ratified or changed to included ten amendments we know today as "The Bill of Rights".

Watch this video explaining the Bill of Rights 
granted to each American citizen!

Lesson 3 Vocabulary:
Federalists,  Anit-Federalists,  Bill of Rights,  amendment,  due  process
Look these words up in your social studies text and be familiar with them.

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Lesson 4 - Key Concepts of the Constitution

• The Preamble of the Constitution describes the purposes of government.
• National agencies help to carry out the goals of the Preamble.
• Amendments to the Constitution have allowed it to adapt to changing needs and ideas.

Lesson 4 Vocabulary:
popular sovereignty,   democracy,  civil responsibility,  rule of law,  judicial  review
Look these words up in your social studies text and be familiar with them.

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Quizlet Chapter 6 Vocabulary Study
Quizlet Chapter 6 Test Study
Preamble Game - See how many words you can fill in!
Three Branches of Government Interactive Activities
U.S. Constitution Comprehension