The American RevolutionConstitution-

Making and War

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• The Constitution of The United States of America is the supreme law of the country and is the foundation and legal authority underlying the existence of the United States and the countries federal government.

• Defines the 3 branches of the government.• The Constitution was adopted in September of 1787 and was

ratified in each U.S. state in the name of the people.• The first 10 amendments are known as The Bill of Rights.• Government under the new constitution began on March 4, 1789.• The constitution was influenced by John Locke, Montesquieu, and

by the common law aspect of the Magna Carta of 1215.

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• In an attempt to root out any and all tyranny once and for all, the members who drafted the new constitution stripped the new elected governors of much of the power the royal governors had exercised.

• The Confederation was intended to be and remained “a firm league of friendship.”

• Ratification of the Articles of Confederation and any subsequent changes in the document required the consent of all the states.

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