1. The Constitution

2. We the people of the United States of America,
Why did we need to create a new system of government?
The Preamble:
We the people of the United States of America,
in order to form a more perfect union,
establish justice,
insure domestic tranquility,
provide for the common defense,
promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

3. Constitutional Convention
When:
May-Sept. 1787
Where:
Philadelphia, PA

4. The Constitution sets up a _______________ that can do a lot of things, but is _________ in 3 major ways:
government
limited
Checks & Balances
Federalism
Bill of Rights

5. 1. Legislative Branch—Congress
Three Branches of Government
1. Legislative Branch—Congress
(Makes the country’s laws)

6. HUGE Controversy:
How many votes should each state get in the new national government (that is, Congress)?

7. Big states
Virginia
Pennsylvania
Massachusetts
Small states
Delaware
Georgia
Connecticut
Wanted vote based
on population
Wanted each state
to have one vote

8. Solution: The Great Compromise
Created a Congress with
2 parts (two “houses”)
Part #1:
The U.S.House of Representatives
(based on population)
Part #2:
The U.S. Senate
(2 votes per state)

10. House of Representatives
Senate
House of Representatives 2
California 53
Alaska 2 1

11. Three Branches of Government—
CHECKS AND BALANCES
1. Legislative Branch—Congress
= U.S. House of Representatives + U.S. Senate
(Makes the country’s laws)
Only Congress can officially
declare war/decides
how much to spend on military
Senate must
Approve new
members of
Supreme Court
Can impeach pres.
Can veto laws
Can declare laws
unconstitutional
As commander-in-chief controls use of military
3. Judicial Branch—
the Supreme Court
Appoints new
members to
Supreme Court
Can declare
presidential
actions un-
constitutional
2. Executive Branch—
The President
(Interprets the meaning of
the country’s laws)
(Enforces the country’s laws)

12. Federalism—Dividing Power Between National Gov’t and State Governments