CONSTITUTION By. Jenna Marshall, Andie Vera, Elizabeth Stich, Marielle Holdsworth, Chris Spears

The Bill of Rights The Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution contains the first 10 amendments. James Madison introduced the Bill of Rights in the House of Representatives in June of Congress approved 12 amendments for ratification and sent them to the states for ratification. Virginia ratified the Bill of Rights in December of 1791 and 10 of the 12 proposed amendments officially became a part of the Constitution.

The Basic Principles of the Constitution Popular Sovereignty- people have power in the government Separation of Power- there is the legislative branch, executive branch, judicial branch Limited Government- the constitution lays down the set of rules that the government has to abide by Checks and Balances- each branch has the power to limit or check the actions of the other two Federalism- the government and state both have certain powers Republic- the people elect our representatives Individual rights- citizens rights are freedom of speech, freedom of religion ect.

Federalist and Anti-federalist It took the constitution a long time to complete, when it was finally finished many people agreed with it and disagreed. When this happened people started to divide into two groups. The federalist and the anti- federalist. The anti-federalist did not want to ratify the constitution, they believed that it gave too much power to the government. They also argued that there was not a bill of rights. The arguing did not stop the federalist, they fought back and had something to say about each disagreement. They believed that the separation of powers into three independent branches protected the rights of the people. The federalist appeared more organized and in June of 1788 the constitution was closed to ratification.

Bill Of Rights The 10 Amendments 1.Freedom of speech, press religion, and petition 2.right to keep and bear arms 3.conditions for quarters of soldiers 4. Right of search and seizure 5.provisions concerning processions 6. Right to a speedy trial or witness 7. Right to trial by jury 8. exessive bail, curl punishment 9.rule of construction of constitution 10.rights to the states under constitution The Bill of Rights is Very Important to the Constitution because it’s the basic Rules of life. With out this America would not have all the freedom we do today. IF people in the government change it, there would be so much debate, why change a document now…if it havent been changes in over 200 years On September 25, 1789, Congress showed the state Legislatures twelve proposed amendments to the Constitution. Only ten made it, numbers three through twelve became the 10 United States Bill of Rights. It was effective December 15, James Madison wrote the Bill of Rights and George Mason is considered the "Father of the Bill of Rights" The Federalists opposed including a bill of rights on the ground that it was unnecessary. The Anti-Federalists, who were afraid of a strong centralized government, refused to support the Constitution without one.

Checks and Balances Checks and balances are part of the notion of separation of powers. In our government, we have three branches of government (legislative, judicial, and executive). Because of separation of powers, each branch shares power with the other branches. In addition, each branch has the power to check, or limit the power of the other branches. This way, one branch can’t gain too much power. For example, the president may veto a law passed by Congress. Congress can override that veto with a vote of two-thirds of both houses.

Why two houses? Pleased both small and large states. House based on population. Senate is equal representation ( 2 representatives per state)