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The United States Constitution

Discover the path from colonies declaring independence to forming a strong union with the U.S. Constitution. Learn about pivotal events like the Articles of Confederation, the Constitutional Convention, and the Bill of Rights. Explore key figures and debates leading to the birth of the Constitution as the cornerstone of American governance.

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The United States Constitution

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  1. The United States Constitution

  2. After declaring independence from Great Britain, the colonies knew that if they wanted to grow and prosper, they would need a plan for unity. Effective March 1, 1781, the colonies were governed by the Articles of Confederation. Magna Carta 1215 Mayflower Compact 1620 Thomas Jefferson Author of the “Declaration of Independence” English Bill of Rights 1689 Articles of Confederation 1781 Declaration of Independence 1776 Path to the Constitution After declaring independence from Great Britain, the colonies knew to grow and prosper, they needed a plan for unity. Effective March 1, 1781, the colonies were governed by the Articles of Confederation.

  3. The Federalist Papers 1787-1788 United States Constitution 1788 Articles of Confederation 1781 Path to the Constitution The Articles of Confederation posed many challenges. The powers of the central government were weak and the Articles were impossible to amend. John Adams Founding Father and 2nd President

  4. Mad Bad Kitty • King Bad • Articles of Confederation a Wimp • We Need a real bad mad cat called the Constitution to control the tyrannical King

  5. Why was the Constitution written? • Shays’ Rebellion: • An uprising of farmers in Massachusetts in 1786 – led by Daniel Shays. • Helped convince leaders that a strong central government was needed. "A scene at Springfield, during Shay's Rebellion, when the mob attempted to prevent the holding of the Courts of Justice."—E. Benjamin Andrews, 1895

  6. In May of 1787, delegates from each state met to write a new Constitution. Through discussion and debate over issues like states’ rights, individual rights, and the power of the national government, a compromise was made and the result became the “law of the land,” the U.S. Constitution. James Madison “Father of the Constitution” Amendments 11-27 1795-1992 The Bill of Rights 1791 United States Constitution 1788 Path to the Constitution

  7. Constitutional Convention • Met in Philadelphia, PA • Original intent was to revise the Articles of Confederation • James Madison was the “Father of the Constitution” • 39 men signed it in 1787

  8. Constitutional Convention: Members • 55 delegates from 12 states (Rhode Island did not send delegates) • White • Males • Statesmen, lawyers, planters. bankers, businessmen • Most under age 50

  9. Constitutional Convention: Absent • John Adams - ambassador to England • Thomas Jefferson - ambassador to France • Patrick Henry - “smelled a rat” • Samuel Adams - not chosen by state to be part of the delegation

  10. Constitutional Convention: Famous Members • Alexander Hamilton – Proponent of strong government • George Washington – President of the convention • James Madison – “Father of the Constitution” • Benjamin Franklin – Oldest member at 81

  11. Federalists v. Anti-Federalists • Federalists: • Supported the Constitution and a strong central government • Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay • Federalist Papers – series of articles written in defense of the Constitution • Anti-Federalists: • Supported a weaker central government – felt too much power was taken away from the states • Opposed the Constitution • Wanted a Bill of Rights included • Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry

  12. Popular Sovereignty Checks and Balances Limited Government Separation of Powers Celebrate the Constitution “The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon. -George Washington September 17, 1787 was a glorious day! The U.S. Constitution was finally signed by the delegates of the Constitutional Convention. The Constitution included a strong central government based on compromise; it outlined national powers and provided provisions for amending the Constitution. George Washington President of the Constitutional Convention and 1st President

  13. Ratification • Officially adopted in 1788 after ratified by New Hampshire. • Once the new government convened, they added a Bill of Rights to the Constitution.

  14. Because there was so much interest and debate regarding individual rights, on December 15, 1791, ten amendments known as the Bill of Rights were added to the U.S. Constitution. Since then, seventeen more amendments have been added to the Constitution. Federalism Individual Rights Republicanism Benjamin Franklin Signer of the Constitution and Founding Father A Living Document

  15. Celebrate the Constitution Today Today, the “law of the land” is still the U.S. Constitution. It has sustained controversial issues, a civil war, and the changes that 200 years of American society brings. But it is strong and enduring. The Constitution of the United States was made not merely for the generation that then exist, but for the posterity - unlimited undefined, endless, perpetual posterity -Henry Clay (1877-1852) American statesman - U.S. Congressman and Senator

  16. Constitution Vocabulary • Ratify: To agree to, to sign, to approve • Amend: To add to, to change • Veto: To refuse to sign, to reject • Bill: A proposed law • Suffrage: The right to vote • Bicameral: 2 house legislature (2 house Congress) • Impeach: To accuse of wrongdoing

  17. Loose Interpretation A.K.A. “Loose Construction of Constitution” Interpretation of Constitution must be flexible People change, society changes, technology changes--Constitution must adapt What the Constitution doesn’t say EXPLICITY, the branches of government can do Who supports a loose interpretation? Answer: Federalists, Liberals Strict Interpretation A.K.A. “Strict Construction of Constitution” Constitution should remain the constant The Constitution must be the measure of social, ethical, and moral change Government can ONLY do what the Constitution EXPLICITLY says Who supports a strict interpretation? Answer: Anti-Federalists, Conservatives A Living Document

  18. A Living Document The Constitution is both a product of its time and a document for all time. It can be changed as society’s needs change.

  19. A Document for All Time • Original Constitution a product of its time • Reflects wisdom and biases of the Framers; relatively few changes in over 220 years • Survived the Civil War, presidential assassinations, and economic crises to become world’s oldest written constitution • Original document not perfect • Perpetuated injustices with compromises permitting slavery and the slave trade • States given power to set qualifications for voting; women, nonwhites, and poor people denied right to vote • Decisions reflected societal attitudes of the times • Ability to incorporate changing ideas of freedom and liberty keeps document relevant to each new generation since 1789

  20. A Constitution for All Generations

  21. The Constitution is the Blueprint • 4,500+ words • Constitution blended ideas from the past with uniquely American principles of governing • Three main parts: • 1) Preamble – lists purposes of Constitution (broad goals) • 2) The 7 articles – create structure of the U.S. government • 3) The 27 amendments – changes added during the nation’s history Basic principles • Structure and language expresses six basic principles: Popular sovereignty Limited government Separation of powers Checks and balances Judicial review Federalism Framers believed if federal government reflected and remained true to basic principles, goals of U.S. Constitution could be accomplished.

  22. & Majority Rule – a system in which the group that has the most members makes decisions

  23. Majority Rule

  24. Popular sovereignty

  25. Limited government Article 1 – Powers Denied to Congress: The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…

  26. Judicial Review: Judicial review is the idea, fundamental to the US system of government, that the actions of the executive and legislative branches of government are subject to review and possible invalidation by the judicial branch.

  27. Federalism • The powers of government are distributed between the national government and state governments • Framers struggled to find acceptable distribution of powers with the rights of states and sufficient national government strength

  28. Federalism Powers of National Government Powers of State Governments Enumerated powers: Items found in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution that set forth the powers of Congress. Delegated Powers: Powers given specifically to the federal government by the Constitution Reserved Powers: Powers not given to the federal government that can be used by a state or local government Concurrent Powers (Shared Powers): Authority shared by both the federal government and the state governments

  29. Structure of the Constitution • Preamble: • Statement of purpose • Articles: I: Legislative Branch II: Executive Branch III: Judicial Branch IV: Relations Among the States V: Amendment Process VI: National Supremacy VII: Ratification • Amendments: • 27 Total • 1st ten are the Bill of Rights

  30. The Preamble

  31. How the Constitution is Divided 1. Articles – the major divisions 2. Sections – divisions of an article 3. Clauses – divisions of a section

  32. Article I: Legislative Branch • Section 1: What is a Congress? Legislative (law-making) power in a bicameral legislature [2 houses: Senate and House of Representatives] • Section 2: House of Representatives

  33. Article I: Legislative Branch • Section 3: Senate • Section 4: Meetings of Congress • Section 5: Rules and Procedures • Section 6: Privileges and Restrictions

  34. Article I: Legislative Branch • Section 7: How a Bill Becomes a Law • Section 8: Powers of Congress • Section 9: Powers Denied to Congress • Section 10: Powers Denied to States

  35. Article 2: Executive Branch • Section 1: President and Vice President • Section 2: Powers of the President • Section 3: Duties of the President • Section 4: Impeachment

  36. Article 3: Judicial Branch • Section 1: Federal Courts • Section 2: Jurisdiction of Federal Courts • Section 3: Treason

  37. Article 4: Relations Among the States • Section 1: Official Acts • Section 2: Privileges of Citizens • Section 3: New States • Section 4: Guarantees of the States

  38. Article 5: The Amendment Process

  39. Article 6: National Supremacy • Section 1: National Debt • Section 2: National Supremacy • Section 3: Oath for Government Officials

  40. Article 7: Ratification • 9 states needed to ratify the Constitution • Signed September 17, 1787

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