The Constitution of the United

States

What is a constitution? • A constitution is a set of laws or

plan for running the state or country.

• The US Constitution is the specific set of laws for running America.

Accomplishments under the Articles of Confederation

Land Ordinance of 1785 – divided the Northwest Territory into townships and sold the land to raise money for the government.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787 – Provided a way for new territories to enter the union.

Things to Note• Before a colony could become a state

they had to have a population of 60,000 (60,000 people living there)!

• Alabama became a state in 1819 when it reached 60,000 citizens!

Constitution has THREE parts:• Preamble• Articles • Amendments

Preamble • The Preamble is at the very

beginning of the U. S. Constitution and explains the goals of the Constitution .

We the people of the United States…

In order to form a more

perfect union…..

Perfect

Union

Establish Justice……..

Insure Domestic Tranquility….

Provide for the Common

Defense….

Promote the General Welfare and…

Secure the Blessings of Liberty…..

I can choose!

Life, Liberty and the

Pursuit of Happiness

To Ourselves and our Posterity……

Do Ordain and Establish this

Constitution……

It’s OFFICIAL!

For The United States of America!!!

Articles of the Constitution • The Constitution created a

government of three equal branches, or parts.

• The three branches are:

• LEGISLATIVE• EXECUTIVE• JUDICIAL

Articles• ARTICLE I - Legislative Branch (House of

Representatives and the Senate). • ARTICLE II - Executive Branch (headed by

the President). • ARTICLE III - Judicial Branch (a system of

courts and judges). • ARTICLE IV - States and the federal

government. Describes how to admit new states to the Union.

• ARTICLE V - Describes how to amend the Constitution.

• ARTICLE VI - Establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the USA.

• ARTICLE VII - Ratification of the Constitution.

Amendments • There are a total of 27 amendments

to the Constitution.

The Bill of Rights

Amendments 1-10 ofthe U. S. Constitution are

called The Bill of Rights

The first amendment

• Freedom ofReligion, Speech, Press,Assembly, and to Petition the Government

Freedom of religion

Freedom of speech

Freedom of the press

Freedom of Assembly

Petition the Government

2nd Amendment—Right to bear arms (guns)

Third Amendment—Housing of Soldiers

• The Government cannot force you to shelter or feed soldiers in your home.

Fourth Amendment—Searches and Seizures

• What does a policeman need in order to search your home? – A warrant

given to him by a judge

– Probable cause is also needed

Fifth Amendment—Rights of the Accused in CRIMINAL

Cases

• Right to remain silent

• Double Jeopardy

Sixth Amendment—Rights of the Accused

• Right to speedy trial by jury

• Right to an attorney

Seventh Amendment—Right to jury trial in CIVIL cases

• Divorce• Child custody• Sue

Eighth Amendment—Punishment and Bail

• No excessive bail

• No cruel and unusual punishment

Ninth Amendment—Rights of the People

(NOT NAMED)

Tenth Amendment—Rights of the States

Other important amendments

• 13th – Abolished slavery

• 14th – Civil Rights

• 15th – Gave former male slaves the right to vote

• 19th – Gave women the right to vote

Slavery TaxesElections

Law SuitsAlcohol

Salaries

SlaveryRead the passage below and answer the questions to the right.

The abolition movement did not appear until the 1830's, when the American Anti-Slavery Society was founded with William Lloyd Garrison writing the organization's statement of principles. Prior to the Convention in 1787, many "Founding Fathers" expressed opinions that condemned slavery.

John Jay, great supporter of the Constitution and an author of The Federalist wrote in 1786, “To contend for our own liberty, and to deny that blessing to others, involves an inconsistency not to be excused.“

Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, which, famously, declares that "all men are created equal," wrote, “…Our children see this, and learn to imitate it; for man is an imitative animal. This quality is the germ of all education in him.“ Jefferson held slaves, as many as 223 at some points in his life. His family sold his slaves after his death, in an effort to relieve the debt he left his estate in.

In a letter to the Marquis de Lafayette, George Washington wrote, "[Y]our late purchase of an estate in the colony of Cayenne, with a view to emancipating the slaves on it, is a generous and noble proof of your humanity. Would to God a like spirit would diffuse itself generally into the minds of the people of this country; but I despair of seeing it." Washington and his wife held over 300 slaves. He wrote in his will that he'd wished to free his slaves, but that because of intermarriage between his and Martha's slaves, he feared the break-up of families should only his slaves be freed. He directed that his slaves be freed upon her death. His will provided for the continued care of all slaves, paid for from his estate.

_____1. What was the great “inconsistency” John Jay refers to?

a. That America was contending for freedom but not offering it to the slaves

b. That America wasn’t getting its blessingsc. That the Constitution was not excused

_____2. Did George Washington have slaves?d. Yes b. No

_____3. Thomas Jefferson’s slaves were sold after his death. A. True B. False

_____4. George Washington didn’t free his slaves when he died. Why?

e. Because his wife’s slaves and his slaves had married each other and they didn’t want to break up families

f. Because Martha needed themg. Because he was afraid to

_____5. Who had the most slaves?h. George Washingtoni. Thomas Jeffersonj. Marquis de Lafayette

_____6. According to George Washington what was Lafayette’s “noble proof of humanity”?

k. That he wanted to free the slaves on his landl. That he would fight with him during the warm. That he was in the minds of the people

Constitution Timeline: How It All Went DownMay 14, 1787Constitutional Convention May 29, 1787Edmund Randolph proposes the Virginia PlanJune 4, 1787The question of how to determine each state's

representation in Congress emerges June 15, 1787William Paterson presents the New Jersey PlanJuly 16, 1787Great Compromise adopted by the full convention. July 16, 1787Congressional Veto RejectedJul 26, 1787The presidency is bornSep 15, 1787Convention Adopts ConstitutionSep 17, 1787Draft Signed by DelegatesSep 28, 1787Ratification BeginsSep 25, 1789Bill of Rights ProposedMar 1, 1792Bill of Rights Enacted

_____1. Based on the timeline which came first?a. The Bill of Rights b. The Presidency is bornc. The New Jersey Plan

2. Who presented the Virginia Plan?_____________

3. When did ratification begin?__________________

_____4. What 2 things happened on the same day?a. Great Compromise/Congressional Vetob. Presidency/Congressional Vetoc. Virginia Plan/New Jersey Plan

_____5. What was adopted on July 16, 1787?d. New Jersey Plane. Great Compromisef. Virginia Plan

6. When was the draft copy of the Constitution signed by the delegates?___________________

_____7. How many years passed between the time the Bill of Rights was proposed and it’s enactment?

a. 2 years b. 3 years c. 4 years

8. What is the topic of the timeline?______________