AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CONSTITUTION

Why is the Constitution so Important ???

• Laws of the Land

• Blueprint for how the country functions

• Controls power of the USA

• Ensures Fair & Equal system

The Declaration of IndependenceThe Declaration of Independence

What’s in the Declaration? • The colonists told Great Britain that they were a

separate, independent nation.• They complained about the king and his

treatment of the colonists.• Natural Rights – inalienable rights one is born

with

• It DID NOT make laws for a new government.• Instead, the Declaration created a framework

for the kind of Gov’t the Founding Fathers wanted.

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION,

• Were America’s 1st FORM OF GOVERNMENT 1781-1789

Problems with the Articles of Confederation

• It created an UNICAMERAL CONGRESS - (One lawmaking house)

• It did not include an EXECUTIVE OR JUDICIAL BRANCH.

• It gave NO POWER TO TAX OR REGULATE INTERSTATE TRADE .

• It created a DECENTRALIZED government and a WEAK UNION OF 13 SEPARATE STATES.

The Constitutional Convention

• May 25, 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

• George Washington presided over the Convention.

• Sept. 17, 1787- 39 delegates signed. – It was provided that the Constitution would

go into effect as soon as 9 states ratified it.

• James Madison from Virginia won the name, “Father of the Constitution.”

– Wrote much of it!!!

The United States Constitution

Constitution Signatures

US ARCHIVES

Ratification and Amending• 1789 - States

ratified the Constitution.

• New Government began functioning.

• 1791- American Bill of Rights was added – First 10 Amendments

to the Constitution.

Characteristics of the Constitution

1. Three Branches of Government– Separation of Powers– Checks and Balances

2. Bicameral Legislative branch (House and Senate)

3. Power to tax and regulate interstate trade

4. Centralized power

Bicameral Legislature – 2 lawmaking houses

Senate – 2 representatives from

each stateHouse of Representatives – basedon population of state

Capitol Building – Washington D.C.where the law-making magic

happens!!!

Senate and Housein session

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• REPUBLIC: State where power rests w/ citizens & vote

–Power exercised by reps. WE vote for

• RULE OF LAW: Laws – NOT individuals govern society

FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS

1. Strong Central (Federal) Gov’t

1. States’ Rights

FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS

2. New Federal Constitution

2. Individual State Constitutions

FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS

3. James Madison

Alexander Hamilton

George Washington

3. Thomas Jefferson

Sam Adams

Patrick Henry

FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS

4. Younger 4. Older

FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS

5. Favored Cities,

Urban Industry, Businessmen

5. Favored the common man,

Farmers

FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS

1. Strong Federal Gov’t

2. New Federal Constitution

3. James Madison

Alexander Hamilton

George Washington

4. Younger

5. Favor Businessmen, Cities, Industry

1. States’ Rights

2. Indiv. State Constitutions

3. Thomas Jefferson

Sam Adams

Patrick Henry

4. Older

5. Favor Common Man, Farming

(Please Write In)• GREAT COMPROMISE = Bicameral Legislature

• Virginia (VA) Plan: Representation based on population (House)

• New Jersey (NJ) Plan: Rep. is equal (Senate)

• Native Americans not counted in pop.• 3/5 Compromise: Slaves counted 3/5 a person