AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CONSTITUTION

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AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CONSTITUTION
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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

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The Declaration of Independence
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Whats 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 Govt the Founding Fathers wanted.

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ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION, 1781-89

• Were Americas 1st FORM OF GOVERNMENT

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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.

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Problems with the Articles of Confederation

• Shays Rebellion and other rebellions showed
  that the federal government did not have enough
  control.
• Each state was operating like a separate
  country.
• A stronger federal government was needed!

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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!!!

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The United States Constitution
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Constitution Signatures
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US ARCHIVES
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Ratification and Amending

• 1788 - Eleven states ratified the Constitution.
  
• 1789 - New Government began functioning.
• 1791- American Bill of Rights was added
• First 10 Amendments to the Constitution.

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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

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Bicameral Legislature 2 lawmaking houses

• Senate 2 representatives from
• each state

House of Representatives based on population of
state
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Capitol Building Washington D.C.where the
law-making magic happens
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Senate and Housein session
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(Please Write in)

• REPUBLIC State where power rests w/ citizens
  vote
• Power exercised by reps. WE vote for
• RULE OF LAW Laws NOT individuals govern
  society

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FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS

1. Strong Central (Federal) Govt

1. States Rights

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FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS

• 2. New Federal Constitution

• 2. Individual State Constitutions

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FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS

• 3. James Madison
• Alexander Hamilton
• George Washington

• 3. Thomas Jefferson
• Sam Adams
• Patrick Henry

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FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS

• 4. Younger

• 4. Older

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FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS

• 5. Favored Cities,
• Urban Industry, Businessmen

• 5. Favored the common man,
• Farmers

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FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS

• States Rights
• Indiv. State Constitutions
• Thomas Jefferson
• Sam Adams
• Patrick Henry
• 4. Older
• 5. Favor Common Man, Farming

• Strong Federal Govt
• New Federal Constitution
• James Madison
• Alexander Hamilton
• George Washington
• 4. Younger
• 5. Favor Businessmen, Cities, Industry

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(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