1. The Constitution

2. What is a Constitution Fundamental law Purpose
Law determining the fundamental political principles of a government
Often codified as a written document
Purpose
To create a framework of government

3. The U.S. Constitution Independence Hall, Philadelphia, PA,
September, 1787
The Signing of the United States Constitution by Thomas Pritchard Rossiter

4. U.S. Constitution Timeline
September 17, 1787
Constitution signed
December 1791
Bill of Rights
becomes part of the Constitution
May 1787
Constitutional Convention begins
June 1788
New Hampshire ratifies the Constitution

5. Creation of the US Constitution
Constitutional Convention
Philadelphia, PA
55 Delegates from 12 states
James Madison, Father of the Constitution

6. Constitutional Compromises
Virginia Plan
Designed largely by James Madison
Presented by Gov. Edmund Randolph
Called for a federal legislative, executive, & judicial branches
Scrap the Articles of Confederation
New federal government
Could impose laws on the states
Collect taxes
Bicameral Legislature
Upper house elected by the people
Lower house elected by the upper house
Number of representatives based on population
Favored large states (VA, NY, MA)

7. Constitutional Compromises
New Jersey Plan
Presented by William Patterson of NJ
Keep the Articles of Confederation
Modify them to make federal government stronger
Unicameral Legislature
Equal representation for all states
Federal government
Raise taxes
Regulate trade

8. Constitutional Compromises
Connecticut or Great Compromise
Committee headed by Ben Franklin
Proposed by Roger Sherman of CT
Bicameral Legislature
House of Representatives
Based on population
Elected by the people
Senate
Equal representation
Elected by the state legislatures

9. Constitutional Compromises
Slavery
One member of the House of Representatives for every 40,000 people
The South
Count each slave for representation
The North
Slaves cannot vote and should not be counted
If slaves count for representation count them for taxes as well
Three-Fifths Compromise
Every five slaves would count as three free white persons for representation and taxes

10. Three-Fifths Compromise

11. Constitutional Compromises
Other Compromises
Federal government
Could not tax exports
Would not ban the slave trade until 1808
Nine of thirteen states had to ratify the Constitution for it to take effect

12. Other Constitutions C.S.A. (1861) Russia (1993) Brazil (1998)
We the people of the Confederacy
Russia (1993)
We, the multinational people of the Russian Federation
Brazil (1998)
We, the representatives of the Brazilian People
Afghanistan (2004)
We the people of Afghanistan
Similarities? What do you notice? They are all newer than the US Constitution. Everyone talks about how young America is.

13. Alabama Constitution of 1901

14. Alabama Constitution (1901)
357,157 words (4,400 US Constitution)
798 Amendments (27 US Constitution)
Why was it written?
White Supremacy, Honest Elections and the New Constitution, One and Inseparable
Why is it so long?
Power is concentrated in the state government
Counties lack home rule
How does the US Constitution address this?
The 10th Amendment

15. Constitutional Compromises
Legislatures still operate the same way
Meet in committees to discuss measures
Present ideas to assembly for a vote

16. Group Assignment Quickly divide into groups of three
Each group will get one amendment from the Alabama Constitution of 1901
Read it
Debate:
Is this amendment important to everyone in the state
Would you change it? How?
Update the language
Present it to the class for a vote

17. Sample Assessment