1. The US Constitution

2. What is it? Supreme Law of the United States
Seven Articles and 27 Amendments
Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments
The Preamble sets out the goals and ideas of the document

3. Who were the writers?
On May 25, 1787, the Constitutional Convention opened in Philadelphia
55 delegates in attendance, representing all 13 states except Rhode Island
George Washington was selected as president of the convention
The framers included merchants, farmers, bankers and lawyers
Eight delegates were signers of the Declaration of Independence
Ben Franklin was there but not:
Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, John Jay or Patrick Henry

4. They had to have a game plan
Originally they were only asked to amend the Articles of Confederation, but they began to form and create a new government

5. Jean-Jacque Rousseau
Government originates in the form of a social contract between the people
The rules of the State are dictated by the general will
Ideas he influenced:
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Republicanism

6. John Locke Men form governments in order to protect their basic rights
When the government can no longer protect these rights then the social contract has been broken
His influence on the Constitution:
Separation of power
Limited Government
Liberty, rights, and responsibilities

7. Baron de Montesquieu
He advocated a government elected by the citizens to represent them
His influences on the Constitution:
Checks and Balances
Separation of power

8. Magna Carta 1215
The noble make King John of England agree that the government should be subject to the rule of law
Guaranteed basic rights of men
Influences on the Constitution:
Liberty, Rights, Responsibilities

9. The Ten Commandments Influences on the Constitution:
Liberty, Rights, and Responsibilities
Republicanism

10. Mayflower Compact 1620
Made as an agreement for majority rule in the interest of the common good
Set up ways to deal with disputes between Pilgrims
Influence on the constitution:
Republicanism
Popular sovereignty

11. John Adams On the committee for the Declaration of Independence
Wrote letter giving his opinion on the writing and content of the Constitution
Influence on the Constitution:
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Federalism

12. English Bill of Rights 1689
The English abolish Divine Right and establish the Parliament
Bill of Rights insures the increases power of the people
Influence on the Constitution:
Checks and Balances
Popular Sovereignty
Liberty, Rights, and Responsibilities

13. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
First written constitution in America
Protect the rights of freemen
Influence on the Constitution:
Popular Sovereignty
Separation of powers
Limited government

14. The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
Written by Thomas Jefferson
Expresses his belief of the separation of church and state
Influence on the Constitution:
Liberty, Rights, and Responsibilities
Limited Government

15. Commentaries on the Laws of England
Written by an English professor regarding English laws
Influence on the Constitution:
Popular Sovereignty
Separation of Powers
Limited government

16. Declaration of Independence
Influences on the Constitution:
Popular sovereignty
Liberty, Rights, and Responsibilities
Limited Government
Republicanism

17. Articles of Confederation
The first Constitution the new nation was under
Influences on the Constitution
Federalism
Limited Government