1. The United States Constitution
Mrs. Saunders

2. A New Nation
After the Revolution two attempts to were made to establish government based on republican principles.
1st - Articles of Confederation
2nd - Constitution

3. Articles of Confederation
Drafted in 1777 but wasn’t ratified until 1781 because of disagreements on State representation and western land claims
provided for a weak national government
no power to tax or regulate commerce among the states
no common currency
Each state only one vote regardless of size
no executive or judicial branch

4.                                           
Shays’ Rebellion
Farmers from western Massachusetts led a violent revolt in1786 led by Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays. Bad harvests, economic depression, and high taxes threatened farmers with the loss of their farms and the uprising was to prevent the trial and imprisonment of debt-ridden citizens.
Shays' Rebellion caused many politicians to propose constitutional reform of the Articles of Confederation, and Shays' Rebellion figured prominently in the debates over the framing and ratification of the Constitution.

6. The Constitution national and state governments share power
rights of states protected
amendments

7. The Constitution Balanced competing interest
federal law “the supreme law of the land” but limited to powers identified in the Constitution
states still govern themselves

8. The Constitution
power of large and small states (Great Compromise or Connecticut Compromise)
Senate where each state has two senators
House of Representatives with membership based on population
slaves counted as three-fifths of the population

9. The Constitution Establishing three co-equal branches
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
checks and balances ensured that all three equal

10. Leaders of the Constitutional Convention
George Washington, “Father of the Country”
Chairman of the Convention (presided)
seldom participated in the debates
lent his prestige to the proceedings

11. Leaders of the Constitutional Convention
James Madison, “Father of the Constitution”
often led the debate
kept the best record
authored the “Virginia Plan,” which proposed three separate branches (legislative, executive, judicial)
later authored the Bill of Rights

12. Bill of Rights influenced by
Virginia Declaration of Rights (George Mason)
basic human rights should not be violated by governments
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (Thomas Jefferson)
Outlawed the established church (government support for one favored church)

13. Ratification Debate
Federalist position (pro-ratification) favored a strong national government
checks and balances prevented any one of the three branches from acquiring to much power
needed for interstate commerce and to manage foreign trade, national defense, and foreign relations.
no Bill of Rights because Constitution protected basic rights and states already had bills of rights

14. Ratification Debate Anti-Federalist position (anti-ratification)
a strong national government would take the powers of the state governments
a national Bill of Rights was necessary
forced the Federalists to pledge that a Bill of Rights would be added before Anti-federalist would accept the Constitution.

15. Preamble
We the People of the United States, 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.

16. Constitution and Bill of Rights
debate on governmental power continues today
a blueprint for successful self-government
has become a model for the rest of the world

17. Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution constitute the Bill of Rights.
These amendments were designed to protect the basic freedoms of American citizens.
The meanings and applications of these rights have changed over time as judicial interpretations of these freedoms has changed.

18. First Amendment Freedom of Speech Freedom of Religion Freedom of
the Press
Freedom of Assembly
Right to petition the government

19. Second Amendment Right to keep and bear arms
“A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to bear arms shall not be infringed.”

20. Third Amendment
The Government cannot force you to shelter soldiers in your home without your consent in time of war or peace.

21. Fourth - Eighth Amendments
Rights of the Accused
Fourth
protection against unreasonable searches and seizures
Fifth
You cannot be tried for the same crime twice—called “Double Jeopardy”
You do not have to testify against your self. “I plead the fifth”
You must have due process of law before you are convicted
The government cannot take your land unless it pays.
Sixth
Right to speedy trial by impartial jury—meaning not favoring either side
You must be told of charges
You must be provided a lawyer if you cannot afford one
Seventh
Trial by jury
Eighth
No excessive bail
No cruel and unusual punishment

23. Ninth Amendment Rule of construction of Constitution
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
This means that there may be certain rights people have that are not listed in the Bill of Rights, which does not mean that they do not exist.
In other words, your rights are not limited by this list.

24. Tenth Amendment Rights of the States under Constitution
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
The power of the Federal Government is limited to only the powers given to it in the constitution.