US Federal Constitution of 1787 Basic Structure “It is much easier to destroy an old system than create a new one”

What does it do? Explains the reasons our Framers crafted our Republican form of government: to replace the Articles of Confederation Drafted over a period of about six weeks Father of the Constitution: James Maddison Eloquently phrased by the Committee of Style Preamble= explanation, not law Powers of each branch of the Federal government, and the states, are detailed in Articles I – VII

Preamble: A breakdown We the People, of the United States Who? The citizens of the USA. The new form of government may have been drawn up by some of the best- educated men of the new nation, but the rights of Republican government belonged to all.

Preamble: A breakdown in Order to form a more perfect Union: Framers were not stating they were crafting a government and nation that were without flaw; they meant that the new Constitution would produce and uphold a better form of governance than the Articles of Confederation.

Preamble: A breakdown establish Justice The reasons for Revolution against England were still very much in the minds of American citizens. Fair trade and fair trial were paramount. insure domestic Tranquility Shays’ Rebellion was one reason the Constitutional Convention was held. Citizens were very concerned with the keeping of peace within our borders.

Preamble: A breakdown provide for the common defense The possibilities of attacks by other countries was very real. No one state by itself had the military might to defend itself against a large- scale attack. The Framers knew it was necessary for the states to work together to defend the nation.

Preamble: A breakdown promote the general Welfare Discusses the “well-being” of all; It relates back to the previous three clauses: by establishing justice, keeping the peace, and defending the nation, the citizens’ well-being would be taken care of to the best extent possible by a Federal government.

Preamble: A breakdown and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity America had fought long and hard for liberty…freedom from a tyrannical government that imposed unjust laws, and placed the goals of the English Crown above the individual. The purpose of the new Constitution was to protect and maintain those hard-won rights, for our Framers’ generation and all that followed.

Basic principles 1. Popular sovereignty 1. Popular sovereignty 2. Federalism 2. Federalism 3. Separation of powers 3. Separation of powers 4. Checks and balances 4. Checks and balances 5. Limited government 5. Limited government 6. Flexibility 6. Flexibility a. can be changed, b. people rule, c. division of power between national and state govt, d. 3 branches, e. govt with controlled and less power, f. one branch has power over another branch

Basic principles Popular sovereignty – B. people rule Popular sovereignty – B. people rule Federalism – C. division of power, national and state Federalism – C. division of power, national and state Separation of powers – D. 3 branches Separation of powers – D. 3 branches Checks and balances – F. one branch has power over another branch Checks and balances – F. one branch has power over another branch Limited government – E. govt with less power Limited government – E. govt with less power Flexibility – A. can be changed, amendment Flexibility – A. can be changed, amendment

answers 1. Legislative branch 1. Legislative branch A. House of Representatives + Senate A. House of Representatives + Senate B. 1. collect taxes, borrow money, declare war B. 1. collect taxes, borrow money, declare war 2. elastic 2. elastic Necessary and proper Necessary and proper 3. habeas corpus 3. habeas corpus Bill of attainder (strengthened by amend # ?) Bill of attainder (strengthened by amend # ?) Ex post facto Ex post facto No taxes on goods sent out of the US No taxes on goods sent out of the US No Lords and Ladies No Lords and Ladies II. Executive II. Executive III. Judiciary III. Judiciary

answers IV. Relations between states IV. Relations between states A. 1. full faith and credit A. 1. full faith and credit B. republican B. republican V. amendments V. amendments A. 2/3s A. 2/3s B. 3/4s B. 3/4s VI. Supremacy Clause VI. Supremacy Clause Supreme law of the land Supreme law of the land VII. Ratification VII. Ratification 9 June 21, 1788 June 21, 1788 George Washington George Washington Bill of Rights ratified: Dec. 15, 1791 Bill of Rights ratified: Dec. 15, 1791

Bill of Rights 1. 1 st Amendment, V 2. 5 th Amendment, V 3. 1 st Amendment, NV 4. 7 th Amendment, V 5. 6 th Amendment, V 6. 1 st Amendment, NV 7. 5 th Amendment, NV 8. 5 th Amendment, V 9. 1 st Amendment, V st or 10 th Amendment, NV