1. The U.S. Constitution- 101
Cornell Notes

2. When was the Constitution adopted?
It was adopted in 1787

3. When was the Constitution ratified? (made officially valid)
First ratified by Delaware on December 7, 1787 and finally by Rhode Island on May 29, 1790
* Note that it wasn’t ratified all at the same time- it too awhile for all states to ratify.
This is the location in Philadelphia where state representatives came to sign the Constitution.

4. Who was the main author of the Constitution?
James Madison was the principle author.

5. Before the Constitution, what document governed the U.S.?
The Articles of Confederation

6. Organization of the Constitution
Preamble (introduction)
Seven Articles
Twenty-seven Amendments

7. What are the 7 articles of the Constitution?
Article 1 = Legislative Branch
Article 2 = Executive Branch
Article 3 = Judicial Branch
Article 4 = Relations among States
Article 5 = Amending the Constitution
Article 6 = Supreme Law of the Land
Article 7 = Ratifying the Constitution