The US Constitution

What is it? Supreme Law of the United States Seven Articles and 27 Amendments Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments The Preamble sets out the goals and ideas of the document

Who were the writers? On May 25, 1787, the Constitutional Convention opened in Philadelphia 55 delegates in attendance, representing all 13 states except Rhode Island George Washington was selected as president of the convention The framers included merchants, farmers, bankers and lawyers Eight delegates were signers of the Declaration of Independence Ben Franklin was there but not: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, John Jay or Patrick Henry

They had to have a game plan Originally they were only asked to amend the Articles of Confederation, but they began to form and create a new government

Jean-Jacque Rousseau Government originates in the form of a social contract between the people The rules of the State are dictated by the general will Ideas he influenced: Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Republicanism

John Locke Men form governments in order to protect their basic rights When the government can no longer protect these rights then the social contract has been broken His influence on the Constitution: Separation of power Limited Government Liberty, rights, and responsibilities

Baron de Montesquieu He advocated a government elected by the citizens to represent them His influences on the Constitution: Checks and Balances Separation of power

Magna Carta 1215 The noble make King John of England agree that the government should be subject to the rule of law Guaranteed basic rights of men Influences on the Constitution: Liberty, Rights, Responsibilities

The Ten Commandments Influences on the Constitution: Liberty, Rights, and Responsibilities Republicanism

Mayflower Compact 1620 Made as an agreement for majority rule in the interest of the common good Set up ways to deal with disputes between Pilgrims Influence on the constitution: Republicanism Popular sovereignty

John Adams On the committee for the Declaration of Independence Wrote letter giving his opinion on the writing and content of the Constitution Influence on the Constitution: Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Federalism

English Bill of Rights 1689 The English abolish Divine Right and establish the Parliament Bill of Rights insures the increases power of the people Influence on the Constitution: Checks and Balances Popular Sovereignty Liberty, Rights, and Responsibilities

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut First written constitution in America Protect the rights of freemen Influence on the Constitution: Popular Sovereignty Separation of powers Limited government

The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom Written by Thomas Jefferson Expresses his belief of the separation of church and state Influence on the Constitution: Liberty, Rights, and Responsibilities Limited Government

Commentaries on the Laws of England Written by an English professor regarding English laws Influence on the Constitution: Popular Sovereignty Separation of Powers Limited government

Declaration of Independence Influences on the Constitution: Popular sovereignty Liberty, Rights, and Responsibilities Limited Government Republicanism

Articles of Confederation The first Constitution the new nation was under Influences on the Constitution Federalism Limited Government