1. THE U.S. CONSTITUTION

2. MAIN IDEAS OF STATE CONSTITUTIONS MAIN IDEAS OF STATE CONSTITUTIONS 1.By 1777, 5 states had constitutions 2.5 Main ideas were the same in each: a. Rule by the people b. Limited government (Limited Power) c. Rights and Freedoms d. Separation of Powers (3 branches) (Legislative, Executive and Judicial) (Pass laws, carry them out, judge laws) e. Checks and Balances – Balance of Power!

3. 3.By 1787, the 5 main ideas became the basic principles of the Constitution 4.1781 – The first US government was established – plan was called the Articles on Confederation 5.All states had one vote in Congress

4. A REJECTED IDEA ….

5. 6. Congress could wage war, make peace and treaties, and request troops and money from states, and pass laws 7. Congress could not levy taxes, raise an army, or regulate trade

6. 8. The Articles were too weak - states began to act as separate countries! 9. The Constitutional Convention began in 1787 - delegates agreed upon a new federal government!

7. 10. The delegates borrowed ideas for the Constitution: a. The Magna Carta – 1215 “Great Charter” – guaranteed freedoms for citizens b. English Bill of Rights - from 1689 document - (fair punishment / right to petition) c. Parliamentary Government - the bicameral (two body) house structure

8. ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS The Magna Carta

9. 11. Delegates made several compromises since the did not agree on everything!

10. 3 MAJOR COMPROMISES 12. 3 Major Compromises: a. Great Compromise – creation of two houses in Congress. All states had two votes in Senate. House of Representatives was and still is based on population.

11. b. Three-Fifths Vote – Slaves were equal to 3/5 of a vote based on population c. Slave Trade - Congress could not end the slave trade for 20 years

12. RATIFYING THE CONSTITUTION 13. The new Constitution had to be ratified (or accepted) by 9 of the 13 states a. 11 states ratified with only North Carolina and Rhode Island rejecting it. 14. The Federalists supported the Constitution and the strong national government which would help keep the country united

13. 15. The Anti-Federalists thought the new Constitution went too far and would not protect the freedoms people fought for in the Revolutionary War 16. By 1788, the Constitution had been ratified and the Bill of Rights was added by 1791.