THE U.S. CONSTITUTIONTHE U.S. CONSTITUTION

MAIN IDEAS OF STATE MAIN IDEAS OF STATE CONSTITUTIONSCONSTITUTIONS

1. By 1777, 5 states had constitutions2. 5 Main ideas were the same in each:

a. Rule by the peopleb. Limited government (Limited Power)c. Rights and Freedoms d. Separation of Powers (3 branches)(Legislative, Executive and Judicial)(Pass laws, carry them out, judge laws)e. Checks and Balances – Balance of Power!

3. By 1787, the 5 main ideas became the basic principles of the Constitution

4. 1781 – The first US government was established – plan was called the Articles on Confederation

5. All states had one vote in Congress

A REJECTEDIDEA ….

6. Congress could wage war, make peace

and treaties, and request troops and money from states, and pass laws

7. Congress could not levy taxes, raise an army, or regulate trade

8. The Articles were too weak - states began to act as separate countries!

9. The Constitutional Convention began in 1787 - delegates agreed upon a new federal government!

10. The delegates borrowed ideas for the Constitution:a. The Magna Carta – 1215 “Great Charter”

– guaranteed freedoms for citizensb. English Bill of Rights - from 1689

document - (fair punishment / right to

petition)c. Parliamentary Government - the

bicameral (two body) house structure

ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTSENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS

The Magna Carta

11. Delegates made several compromises since the did not

agree on everything!

3 MAJOR COMPROMISES3 MAJOR COMPROMISES

12. 3 Major Compromises:

a. Great Compromise – creation of

two houses in Congress. All states had two votes in Senate. House

of Representatives was and still is based on population.

b. Three-Fifths Vote – Slaves were equal to 3/5 of a vote based on population

c. Slave Trade - Congress could not end the slave trade for 20 years

RATIFYING THE RATIFYING THE CONSTITUTIONCONSTITUTION

13. The new Constitution had to be ratified (or accepted) by 9 of the 13 statesa. 11 states ratified with only North Carolina and Rhode Island

rejecting it.

14. The Federalists supported the Constitution and the strong national government which would help keep the country united

15. The Anti-Federalists thought the new Constitution went too far and would not protect the freedoms people fought for in the Revolutionary War

16. By 1788, the Constitution had been ratified and the Bill of Rights was added by 1791.