1. Do Now: Give two reasons why the US replaced the Articles of Confederation? America’s Founding Documents: The United States Constitution

2. Declaration of Independence – America’s Charter or purpose document The Constitution – America’s bylaws or organizational structure

3. So what is the Constitution? What we think of as the Constitution is made up of 3 parts: The Preamble states the 6 core purposes of the constitution The Constitution (articles I – VII) lay out the workings of our governmental system The Amendments – add ons to the const. Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the original constitution – protect individual rights

4. The Preamble We the People, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure 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 of the United States of America.

5. TRANSLATION of the Preamble 1. Connect the states 2. Establish justice (courts) 3. Ensure Peace 4. Provide Defense 5. Promote General Welfare a fair playing field where everyone could use their talents, abilities to succeed 6. Secure Liberty now and for the future

6. The Constitution Articles 1-7 (worksheet)

7. Bill of Rights The first 10 amendments to the Constitution that were passed by Congress in its first session and ratified on Dec 15 1791 Include Basic Freedoms, right to bear arms, protection from quartering soldiers, right to a fair trial and rights of the accused

8. 6 Guiding Principles of the US Constitution Popular Sovereignty Rule of Law Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances Federalism Independent Judiciary Individual Rights

9. Constitutional Convention of 1787 Representatives from every state (but Rhode Island) met in Philadelphia to lay out new governmental structure and Constitution. Issues to be decided included: Unicameral vs. Bicameral legislature Slavery and the slave population (Three-fifths compromise) Governmental control of commerce How to choose the president (Electoral College)

10. By 1790… All 13 states had ratified the Constitution In 1791, the state legislatures agreed to add the first 10 amendments: The Bill of Rights

11. The Fight for Ratification Federalists Anti-Federalists Saw the Articles of Confederation as a failure Wanted a strong central government Believed that a large republican government would reduce he risk of factions Believed in local rule – centralized power = tyrannical monarch Congress was too small to accurately represent the people Constitution lacked a Bill of Rights to guarantee individual rights