A quick review of our principles

People are the source of any and all governmental power Consent of the Governed People are the source of any and all governmental power not military power not the divine right of kings not just the wealthy people

Limited Government Government is not all powerful and may do only those things people have given it the power to do.

The government and those who govern are bound by the law. Rule of Law The government and those who govern are bound by the law.

Democracy The people rule.

Representative Government People elect public officeholders to make laws and conduct government on their behalf.

Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence Written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776! States grievances against the King of Great Britain. Declared the Colonies’ independence from Great Britain!!

Declaration of Independence Affirmed “certain, unalienable rights” Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness!!!!! Established the idea that all people were created equal under the law! http://www.history.com/minisites/declaration

Articles of Confederation

Confederation vs United States States are fully independent of the others **Think different colors States work as a team under the national government

Established the first form of national government for the independent states. Maintained that major powers resided with individual states for fear of the national government gaining too much power. Provided for a weak national government (no power to tax and enforce laws) Led to the writing of the Constitution.

http://www. constitutioncenter http://www.constitutioncenter.org/timeline/flash/assets/asset_upload_file755_11927.jpg

of the National government under WEAKNESSES of the National government under The Articles of Confederation The national government could not force the states to obey its laws. Congress lacked strong and steady leadership It did not have the power to tax It did not have the power to enforce laws There was no national army or navy There was no system of national courts

Declaration of Independence (4 things) Articles of Confederation (4 things) Both 2 things

Written by Thomas Jefferson States that people have unalienable rights Congress had no power to tax One of the founding documents of our nation Helped to form the first national government Powers were held with the states Established people are equal under the law Created weak central government Written in the 1770s Stated grievances against the King

Declaration of Independence (4 things) Written by Thomas Jefferson States that people have unalienable rights Stated grievances against the King Established people are equal under the law Articles of Confederation (4 things) Congress had no power to tax Helped to form the first national government Powers were held with the states Created weak central government Both 2 things Written in the 1770s One of the founding documents of our nation

US Constitution

New Jersey Plan Virginia Plan TWO HOUSES The Great Compromise TWO HOUSES 1= Senate: two votes per state 2 = House of Reps: Number of votes based on state population Virginia Plan Congress based on population New Jersey Plan Each state gets one vote.

Legislature -the branch of government having the  power to make laws Bicameral – two houses

Federalists Didn’t see a need to include a Anti-Federalists Would only support the Constitution if it included the Bill of Rights Federalists Didn’t see a need to include a Bill of Rights to the Constitution.

purposes of the US Constitution

Establishes the structure of the United States government. Guarantees equality under the law with majority rule and the rights of the minority protected. Affirms individual worth and dignity of all people. Protects the fundamental freedoms of religion, press, assembly, and petition.

Article 1 – Legislative Branch Article 2 – Executive Branch The Constitution of the United States of America is divided into ARTICLES Article 1 – Legislative Branch Article 2 – Executive Branch Article 3 – Judicial Branch “Let’s Eat Jello”

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments are called the BILL OF RIGHTS. There are 27 amendments total

In order for the US Constitution to be amended, first 2/3 of both houses or the states must propose a new amendment. Then, ¾ of both houses or the states must ratify the amendment. Uhhmm, it is REALLY difficult to change the Constitution. It can be done but think about it…only 17 amendments have been added since the Constitution was ratified. That is a lot of years and not a lot of changes.

An imaginary conversation… Student: “Mrs. Williams you are wrong. There are more than 17 amendments” Mrs. Williams: “Yes….so?” Student: “You said only 17 have been added to the Constitution! “ Mrs. Williams: “Hmmm…did I?” Another classmate: “Dude, she said since the Constitution was ratified, that means passed. In order to get the Constitution ratified the Bill of Rights had to be added.” Student: “Geez, ok calm down but still…that’s only 17 amendments!” Class chimes in together: “The Bill of Rights are the first 10 amendments. Plus the 17 that were added means there are 27 total.” Student: “Ohhhhhhh”

In a picture…. OR

Charlie Brown: Constitutional Convention .

The Preamble

The Preamble has 5 purposes!!!! We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence(defense), promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. http://www.elcivics.com/constitution_preamble.html

The Preamble to the Constitution Preamble ~ a preliminary statement to a document that explains the purpose and sets the goals that will be served by the government. Preamble = Pregame Show

The Preamble to the Constitution begins with “We the people…” This establishes that the power of the government comes from the people!!!

Why Virginia is AWESOME:

Charters of the Virginia Company of London 1606-1612 These charters guaranteed the rights of Englishmen to the colonists.

The Virginia Declaration of Rights 1776 Served as a model for the Bill of Rights in the Constitution. George Mason “All men are by nature equally free and independent.”

Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom 1786 Freedom of religious beliefs and opinions Thomas Jefferson Provided the model for the freedom of religion in the 1st Amendment

Fundamental Principles or Guarantees Virginia Declaration of Rights Charters of the Virginia Company of London Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom The Declaration of Independence The Articles of Confederation Author Fundamental Principles or Guarantees Main Impact(s)

The Continental Congress Virginia Declaration of Rights Charters of the Virginia Company of London Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom The Declaration of Independence The Articles of Confederation George Mason King James I of England Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson The Continental Congress Author Rights later contained in the Bill of Rights Unalienable Rights Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness Guaranteed the colonists the rights of Englishmen States hold more power than the federal government Freedom of religion Fundamental Principles or Guarantees Provided a government for the Virginia Colony Was the model for the Bill of Rights Established a separation of church and state Declared the colonies independent Created a weak central government Led to the Constitution of the US Main Impact(s)