Introduction to the ConstitutionEverything you wanted to know about the Constitution in 1 period.

Early Government

During the Revolutionary War, Americans knew they needed a form of government to run their young country.

The document they created was called the “Articles of Confederation” – Written in 1777, Ratified in 1781

This government created a loose alliance of 13 independent states

Goals of the ArticlesFederalism- A system of government divided between a central government and smaller political units (like the States and the Federal government)

The States held much of the power and the Federal government had very little.

Why would the men who wrote the Articles have given more power to the States?

Problems with the Articles

The Articles of Confederation allowed Congress to:

Coin money

Declare War

Appoint military officers

However, there were many problems the Articles

The Articles of Confederation could not: Pass a law unless 9 states approved it first

Regulate trade between states or countries

Raise money through taxation!

This caused a lot of problems in the new country. Something had to change…

Constitutional ConventionIn 1787, a Constitutional Convention was called in

Philadelphia to fix the Articles of Confederation.

There were many different opinions as to how the Articles should be fixed, but as the Convention wore on, it seemed clear that an entirely new government had to be created. Washington was so

respected, he was elected President of the Convention

At 81, Ben Franklin was the oldest delegate present

The Constitution

Trying to set up a framework for the new government was a difficult task

There was much fighting amongst the framers who would ultimately write out the new laws of the land.

Finally, in September of 1787, after five sweaty months of debating, the Constitution of the United States was written and signed by the 55 delegates

InfluencesMagna Carta (1215)- King must consult Great Council on matters of taxes; granted rights to nobles

English Bill of Rights (1689)- protected the rights of the citizens

Enlightenment beliefsJohn Locke (1690)- “Life, Liberty and Property”

The job of a ruler is to protect the people. If he does not, he can be overthrown

Baron de Montesquieu (1748)- Separation of Powers

Locke

Montesquieu

FrameworkThe Constitution of the United States was ratified in 1791 and remains the shortest national Constitution in use.

It is composed of a Preamble (opening section), 7 Articles and 27 Amendments

Since 1787, the Constitution has only been revised 27 times. Sounds like the Framers did a pretty good job!

Quick Quiz

1. What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention?

2. What were two sources that influenced the Constitution and what those influences were?

3. What were the men who attended the Constitutional Convention called?