A New Constitution Mr. Zimmer Civics

Constitution History By 1787 the original 13 states realized that the Articles of Confederation needed to be fixed The Articles of Confederation gave more power to the states and was the first governing document for the country

Constitution History The Constitution is the world’s oldest written constitution still governing a country today. The Constitution is the world’s oldest written constitution still governing a country today.

British Influence The Magna Carta The Magna Carta Guaranteed that free people could not be arrested, put in prison, or forced to leave their country without a trial by jury Guaranteed that free people could not be arrested, put in prison, or forced to leave their country without a trial by jury

British Influence The English Bill of Rights The English Bill of Rights Right to Petition Right to Petition Right to fair punishment if found guilty of a crime Right to fair punishment if found guilty of a crime

British Influence Parliamentary Government Lawmaking body of Great Britain Bicameral Consists of two houses or parts

Delegates Meet in Secret Met in secret because agreements on difficult issues might not have been possible Met in secret because agreements on difficult issues might not have been possible James Madison kept a journal of the proceedings James Madison kept a journal of the proceedings He is sometimes called the Father of the Constitution because of this. He is sometimes called the Father of the Constitution because of this.

Writing the Constitution The framers created a system of government known as federalism The framers created a system of government known as federalism During the writing process the most serious disagreement was over the question of representation in the national legislature During the writing process the most serious disagreement was over the question of representation in the national legislature Larger states wanted it based on population Larger states wanted it based on population Smaller states wanted equal representation Smaller states wanted equal representation This is why the House of Representatives and the Senate were created This is why the House of Representatives and the Senate were created This became known as the Great Compromise! This became known as the Great Compromise!

Constitution Completed Once completed, it was sent to the states for ratification or approval Once completed, it was sent to the states for ratification or approval 9 of the 13 colonies had to ratify the Constitution for it to go into effect 9 of the 13 colonies had to ratify the Constitution for it to go into effect Each state set up a special convention of delegates to vote on the Constitution Each state set up a special convention of delegates to vote on the Constitution As time went on, people took sides and two groups were formed: The Federalists and Anti-Federalists As time went on, people took sides and two groups were formed: The Federalists and Anti-Federalists

Federalists These were the supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong National Government to keep the country united These were the supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong National Government to keep the country united Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison were members of this group Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison were members of this group

Anti-Federalists Feared a strong national government defeated the purpose of the Revolutionary War Feared a strong national government defeated the purpose of the Revolutionary War They did not believe that the proposed Constitution protects the states power or people’s freedoms They did not believe that the proposed Constitution protects the states power or people’s freedoms Patrick Henry, Thomas Paine, and Samuel Adams were members of this group Patrick Henry, Thomas Paine, and Samuel Adams were members of this group

Constitution is Ratified Slowly the Federalist gained support Slowly the Federalist gained support Many citizens were still upset that the Constitution did not contain a list of the rights for the people Many citizens were still upset that the Constitution did not contain a list of the rights for the people After ratification by the 9 th state, the new U.S. government began to operate in 1789 After ratification by the 9 th state, the new U.S. government began to operate in 1789