1. The United States Constitution and Bill of Rights CA Standards: 10.1.3 – Consider the influence of the U.S. Constitution on political systems in the contemporary world 10.2.2 – List the principles of…the Bill of Rights (1791)

2. Important Events July 4, 1776 – Declaration of Independence Articles of Confederation 1781 Constitutional Convention (1787) Constitution becomes supreme law (1788) Bill of Rights (1791)

3. James Madison Disliked the Articles of Confederation Virginia Plan Federalist Papers (1787) Father of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights

4. Constitution “the greatest single effort of national deliberation that the world has ever seen” ~John Adams Written in 1787 at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and signed September 17, 1787 Signed by 55 “Founding Fathers” The major sticking point to ratifying the Constitution was the lack of a Bill of Rights – Bill of Rights added in 1791

5. Preamble We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America.

6. Constitution “We the people of the United States…” Preamble - Introduction and goals of the Constitution Article 1 – The Legislative Branch Article 2 – The Executive Branch Article 3 – The Judicial Branch Article 4 – States and Federal Government Article 5 – Amending the Constitution Article 6 – Constitution is law of the land, authorized national debt, oath of public officials to support the Constitution Article 7 – Requirements for ratification of Constitution

7. Main Ideas of the Constitution Authority comes from the people Federalism Separation of Powers Social contract Individual rights Rule of Law Consent of Government Limited Government Balance of Power

8. Legacy of the Constitution Withstood the test of time Over 200 years Many countries have based their constitutions and governments off the United States

9. Bill of Rights (Added in 1791) Federalists (NO) v. Anti-Federalists (YES) Preserves the rights of the people First 10 Amendments – Amendment 1 – Freedom of religion, speech and press – Amendment 2 – Right to bare arms – Amendment 3 – Limits the quartering of soldiers – Amendment 4 – Search and seizure of property – Amendment 5 – Right to a trial, no double jeopardy, no self-incrimination

10. Bill of Rights cont’d – Amendment 6 – right to a speedy trial and confrontation of witnesses – Amendment 7 – Right to a trial by jury in civil cases – Amendment 8 – Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment – Amendment 9 – People may have other rights, even if they are not listed here – Amendment 10 – The federal government’s powers are limited to those listed in the Constitution