1. AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CONSTITUTION

2. Why is the Constitution so Important ??? Laws of the Land Blueprint for how the country functions Controls power of the USA Ensures Fair & Equal system

3. The Declaration of Independence

4. What’s in the Declaration? The colonists told Great Britain that they were a separate, independent nation. They complained about the king and his treatment of the colonists. Natural Rights – inalienable rights one is born with It DID NOT make laws for a new government. Instead, the Declaration created a framework for the kind of Gov’t the Founding Fathers wanted.

5. ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION, Were America’s 1st FORM OF GOVERNMENT 1781-1789

6. Problems with the Articles of Confederation It created an UNICAMERAL CONGRESS - (One lawmaking house) It did not include an EXECUTIVE OR JUDICIAL BRANCH. It gave NO POWER TO TAX OR REGULATE INTERSTATE TRADE. It created a DECENTRALIZED government and a WEAK UNION OF 13 SEPARATE STATES.

7. The Constitutional Convention May 25, 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. George Washington presided over the Convention. Sept. 17, 1787- 39 delegates signed. –It was provided that the Constitution would go into effect as soon as 9 states ratified it. James Madison from Virginia won the name, “Father of the Constitution.” –Wrote much of it!!!

10. The United States Constitution

11. Constitution Signatures

12. US ARCHIVES

16. Ratification and Amending 1789 - States ratified the Constitution. New Government began functioning. 1791- American Bill of Rights was added –First 10 Amendments to the Constitution.

17. Characteristics of the Constitution 1. Three Branches of Government –Separation of Powers –Checks and Balances 2. Bicameral Legislative branch (House and Senate) 3. Power to tax and regulate interstate trade 4. Centralized power

19. Bicameral Legislature – 2 lawmaking houses Senate – 2 representatives from each state House of Representatives – based on population of state

20. Capitol Building – Washington D.C. where the law-making magic happens!!!

21. Senate and House in session

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23. REPUBLIC: State where power rests w/ citizens & vote –Power exercised by reps. WE vote for RULE OF LAW: Laws – NOT individuals govern society

24. FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS 1.Strong Central (Federal) Gov’t 1.States’ Rights

25. FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS 2. New Federal Constitution 2. Individual State Constitutions

26. FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS 3. James Madison Alexander Hamilton George Washington 3. Thomas Jefferson Sam Adams Patrick Henry

27. FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS 4. Younger4. Older

28. FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS 5. Favored Cities, Urban Industry, Businessmen 5. Favored the common man, Farmers

29. FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS 1.Strong Federal Gov’t 2.New Federal Constitution 3.James Madison Alexander Hamilton George Washington 4. Younger 5. Favor Businessmen, Cities, Industry 1.States’ Rights 2.Indiv. State Constitutions 3.Thomas Jefferson Sam Adams Patrick Henry 4. Older 5. Favor Common Man, Farming

30. (Please Write In) GREAT COMPROMISE = Bicameral Legislature Virginia (VA) Plan: Representation based on population (House) New Jersey (NJ) Plan: Rep. is equal (Senate) Native Americans not counted in pop. 3/5 Compromise: Slaves counted 3/5 a person