1 / 12

A New United States

Explore the origins and principles of the United States Constitution, influenced by the Enlightenment and English democratic traditions, with a focus on the Preamble, Articles, and the Bill of Rights.

fredricks
Download Presentation

A New United States

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. A New United States U.S. Constitution 1787

  2. Roots & Heritage Framers of the Constitution were intelligent/schooled men Influenced by John Locke’s theories of natural rights English democratic tradition Drew on thousands of years of sources & models Political developments from Greek philosophers & the Roman republic Magna Carta (1215): limit the monarch’s powers & gave more power to the legislature English Bill of Rights (1689) …and Baron de Montesquieu's ideas of separating & balancing the powers of the gov’t

  3. Set-upof the Constitution • Preamble • (Intro) • Articles • 7 total • Amendments • Bill of Rights • First 10 as of 1791 • Pleased Anti-federalists • 27 overall

  4. Preamble of the Constitution We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves & our posterity, do ordain & establish this Constitution for the United States of America. Must know for your test

  5. Goals of the Preamble • To form a more perfect union (of states) • To establish justice(protect & set the laws) • To ensure domestic tranquility (peace at home) • To provide for the common defense(defend country) • To promote the general welfare(well-being of general population) • To secure the blessings of liberty

  6. The Articles • Legislative branch • Executive branch • Judicial branch • Relation between states • Amendment process • National supremacy • Constitution is “supreme lawof the land” • Ratification

  7. 7 Basic Principles • Examples in the Constitution: • “We the people…establish this Constitution for the United States of America” • House of Representatives (chosen by people) given power to raise money-bills • States given right to decide on slavery (10th Amendment) • Popular Sovereignty • A monarch is unconstitutional • People have authority • Right to alter or abolish government

  8. 7 Basic Principles • Limited Government • Avoid tyranny • Gov’t has powers only expressed in Constitution • Everyone must obey laws • Examples in the Constitution: • Article 1, Section 9 – Powers denied to Congress • Article 1, Section 10 – Powers denied the States • 10th Amendment – Reserved clause…powers reserved to the states

  9. 7 Basic Principles • Separation of Power • 3 branches of government (Articles 1-3) • Executive: President • Legislative: Congress • Judicial:Courts • Checks & Balances • No abuse of power • Each branch can limit the other two

  10. 7 Basic Principles • Federalism • Division of gov’t power • Federalgovernment divided from thestate State National BOTH • EnumeratedPowers • Regulate trade • Coin money • Provide an army & navy • Conduct foreign affairs • Set up federal courts • ConcurrentPowers • Enforce the laws • Establish courts • Collect taxes • Borrow money • Provide for the general welfare • Reserved Powers • Regulate trade within the state • Establish local gov’t systems • Conduct elections • Establish public schools system

  11. 7 Basic Principles • Republicanism • Republic form of government • Citizens elect representatives • Example – Article 4, Section 4 – “guaranteed a republican form of government” • Individual Rights • Protects rights of individual citizens

  12. Bill of Rights Rights of the accused Right to speedy trial & public by jury Jury trial in civil cases Bail & punishment (Crazy 8) Powersto the people (mine) Powersto the states Freedom of religion, assembly, press, petition, & speech (RAAPS) Right to bear arms No lodging troopsin private homes Search & Seizure 12 amendments proposed by James Madison in 1789…10 amendments ratified by Congress on 12/15/1791 & known as Bill of Rights

More Related