2. The United States of America Constitution

3. The Constitution Written in 1787 Called the “Supreme Law of the Land”

4. Constitution’s Importance Establishes a federal democratic republic form of government No Law may contradict its principles No person or government is exempt from it

5. Why the Constitution was needed? Articles of Confederation ratified in 1781 did not have a strong central government Country was weak On the verge of Economic Disaster

6. Problems with Articles of Confederation Central Government unable to regulate commerce between states Difficult to deal with foreign governments Unable to settle disputes Lacked a central army

7. Constitutional Convention 1787 Gathering to create a plan for a more centralized type of government and to revise the Articles of Confederation. Delegates from all of the 13 states except Rhode Island were present

8. 2 Plans Presented Virginia Plan Large States supported powerful central government Included the executive, legislative, and judicial branches

9. 2 Plans Presented New Jersey Plan Small States supported Revise and amend the Article of Confederation allow Congress to control trade and taxes

10. Great Compromise states were to have equal representation in the Senate regardless of state size, the House of Representatives membership was to be based on state population.

11. Great Compromise In addition to this legislative branch, an executive and judicial branch were formed No branch would have more power than the other, through a system of checks and balances

12. Constitution Provides 50 sovereign States a democracy where people govern themselves people choose elected officials by free and secret ballot a republic where the Government derives its power from the people

13. The Constitution establishes Justice insures domestic Tranquility provides for the common defense promotes the general Welfare secures the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity