The United States Constitution Presentation by: Chris Condren

The American revolutionary war The King in Great Britain was taxing the colonies, but the colonists were not given representation in Parliament (British government). The colonists wanted to receive the same treatment as other British citizens. Also known as the “American Revolution” or the “U.S. War of Independence” Conflict between the residents of the 13 colonies and the British Crown

The First Continental Congress In response, a group of colonists met in Philadelphia in 1774 to talk about the problems they were facing: 1) No taxation without representation. 2) The British Army staying in the colonies without their consent. A declaration of rights due every citizen was issued: Life, liberty, property, assembly, and trial by jury.

The Second Continental Congress When the Second Continental Congress met, the colonists decided to form a Continental Army and made George Washington commander in chief. By June of 1776, the war was in full swing and a majority of colonists wanted to be independent from Great Britain.

Declaration of independence On July 1st, 1776, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. On July 4th, Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence. Today, we celebrate July 4th as “Independence Day.”

Fun Facts The oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence was Benjamin Franklin (70). The youngest signer was Edward Rutledge (26).

Articles of Confederation On March 1st of 1781, the Articles of Confederation were ratified. The Articles were signed by Congress & sent to each state for ratification on November 15th, 1777. Ratification of the Articles by all 13 states did not occur until March 1st, 1781.

The Constitutional convention of 1787 The Convention was called to decide how America would be governed. Fix the existing government or create a new one? Two plans were discussed – The Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan.

The virginia plan v. the new jersey plan The number of Senators and Representatives would be based on population. Favored by the larger states. The New Jersey Plan: Each state would have the same number of Senators and Representatives. Favored by the smaller states.

The Great Compromise A delegate from Connecticut, Roger Sherman, proposed a two-house legislature, consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The Senate would have an equal number of representatives from each state. This would satisfy the states with smaller populations. The House of Representatives would include one representative for each 30,000 individuals in a state. This pleased states with larger populations. This two-house legislature plan worked for all states and became known as the Great Compromise!

The Constitution On September 17th, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia singed 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 and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” The first ten Amendments to the Constitution are known as the “Bill of Rights.” Protects many of our individual liberties.

Amending the Constitution Since the Bill of Rights was ratified, the Constitution has only been amended 17 times, giving us a total of 27 Amendments. Amendments can be proposed in Congress when 2/3rd of both Houses agree. The states can play a role in proposing changes to the Constitution as well : 2/3rds of the state legislatures must call Conventions to propose Amendments. Whether Amendments are first proposed by the states or Congress, 3/4ths of the states must ratify (or approve) them before they become a part of the Constitution—the supreme law of the land.

Amendments FIRST: SECOND: FOURTH: Freedom of association, religion, speech, expression, and the press. SECOND: Right to keep and bear arms. FOURTH: Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures. Need probable cause & a warrant, unless an exception applies.

Amendments FIFTH: SIXTH: Right to a grand jury in a capital case Prohibition on double jeopardy Prohibition against self-incrimination Guarantee that all criminal defendants will have a fair trial (includes a right to counsel during custodial interrogation). A promise that the government will not seize private property for public use without giving “just compensation.” SIXTH: Confrontation Clause (right to confront your accusers). Right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury.

Amendments THIRTEENTH: FOURTEENTH: Officially abolished slavery in America. Ratified on December 6, 1865, after the conclusion of the American Civil War. FOURTEENTH: Granted citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States,” which included former slaves recently freed. Due Process Clause – enforces the Bill of Rights against the states. Equal Protection Clause

Amendments FIFTEENTH: NINETEENTH: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” Also gives Congress the right to pass legislation to enforce this Amendment. NINETEENTH: Passed by Congress on June 4th, 1919, and ratified on August 18th, 1920.  Granted women the right to vote. 

Other Important Legislation On June 2nd of 1924, Congress passed the Indian Citizenship Act. The government of the United States confers citizenship on all Native Americans born within the territorial limits of the country. Some states still denied Native Americans the right to vote. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 Ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

Branches of Government

Monuments of our history Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church

Monuments of our history Rosa Parks Museum

Monuments of our history Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Birmingham, Alabama

Monuments of our history National Center for Civil and Human Rights Atlanta, Georgia

Monuments of our history 16th Street Baptist Church Birmingham, Alabama

Monuments of our history

Questions or Comments?