Declaration of Independence Constitutional Convention Constitution Articles of Confederation

Early Documents

Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson Virginia

Roger Sherman Connecticut

Benjamin Franklin Pennsylvania

Robert Livingston New York

John Adams Massachusetts

Declaring Independence Theories:

Social Contract: “ That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government”

Ideals established in American Society Inalienable Rights: Life liberty and pursuit of happiness

Articles of Confederation

Strengths Won the Revolutionary War Land of Ordinance of 1785 –New land surveyed and sold Northwest Ordinance 1787 –Outlined a plan for new areas to apply for statehood. Weaknesses Congress couldn’t –Tax –Regulate Trade Foreign or State –Enforce Laws No Army No National Currency

Shays Rebellion American farmers protested against taxes. This pointed out the need for a stronger federal government.. Leading to the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

Purpose Constitutional Convention

James Madison: “Father of the Constitution” George Washington: President of Convention

George Mason: Refused to vote on the Constitution because it did not contain a Bill of Rights. Gouverneur Morris: Drafter of the Constitution

Constitution

Alexander Hamilton James Madison John Jay Wrote The Federalist Papers

Constitution People Power! have the

Consent of the Governed “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed..."

Power divided between National and State Governments Shared Responsibility Constitution

Power of the Judicial branch to declare acts of Legislative Branch and Executive Branch as Unconstitutional Constitution

Legislative ExecutiveJudicial Constitution Divided into Three Branches

Constitution Each Branch of government checks with power of the other branches

Bill of Rights

The First Amendment Grievances / Petition Press Speech Assemble Religion

Bill of Rights 2 – Bear Arms 3 - Quarters 4 – Search and Seizure 5 – Due Process 7 – Right to Trail by Jury