Road to the Constitution How the Constitution came to be

Road to the Constitution 1776 the colonists declared their independence from Great Britain after years of having their natural rights denied 1776 the colonists declared their independence from Great Britain after years of having their natural rights denied The American Revolution begins and it does not look good for the colonists early on The American Revolution begins and it does not look good for the colonists early on

Road to the Constitution Richard Henry Lee Richard Henry Lee He gets the Congress together and for 17 months they try to write a permanent gov ’ t He gets the Congress together and for 17 months they try to write a permanent gov ’ t

Road to the Constitution On November 15, 1777 the Congress succeeds and approves the Articles of Confederation On November 15, 1777 the Congress succeeds and approves the Articles of Confederation They granted freedom to each state and each state could make their own laws. There was no federal government! They granted freedom to each state and each state could make their own laws. There was no federal government!

Road to the Constitution At first this seemed like a great gov ’ t, but things begin to change quickly At first this seemed like a great gov ’ t, but things begin to change quickly Weaknesses are spotted almost immediately Weaknesses are spotted almost immediately Certain powers are not mentioned creating confusion between the new states Certain powers are not mentioned creating confusion between the new states

Road to the Constitution Major Weaknesses Major Weaknesses Powerless to collect taxes Powerless to collect taxes Powerless to regulate trade Powerless to regulate trade Could not make states obey Could not make states obey Difficult to amend the articles Difficult to amend the articles

Road to the Constitution A meeting is called to make a new gov ’ t A meeting is called to make a new gov ’ t 1787 the meeting in Philadelphia becomes the Constitutional Convention 1787 the meeting in Philadelphia becomes the Constitutional Convention The sole purpose was to revise the Articles of Confederation The sole purpose was to revise the Articles of Confederation

Road to the Constitution The Framers: 55 delegates who work to write the Constitution The Framers: 55 delegates who work to write the Constitution They agree on certain rules and a President of the convention, but that is about it as different plans emerge They agree on certain rules and a President of the convention, but that is about it as different plans emerge

Road to the Constitution Virginia Plan v. New Jersey Plan Virginia Plan v. New Jersey Plan

Road to the Constitution There is much debate about the shape of the Congress, the Presidency, and a written Bill of Rights There is much debate about the shape of the Congress, the Presidency, and a written Bill of Rights People who are for the Constitution are known as Federalists and people against the Constitution are known as the Anti- Federalists People who are for the Constitution are known as Federalists and people against the Constitution are known as the Anti- Federalists What they can’t agree on is a written list of rights for the people What they can’t agree on is a written list of rights for the people

The Bill of Rights Ensure people’s liberties that cannot be taken away Ensure people’s liberties that cannot be taken away These are the first ten amendments written into the Constitution These are the first ten amendments written into the Constitution

Bill of Rights Includes such things as the Freedom of: Includes such things as the Freedom of: Speech (1 st ) Speech (1 st ) Bear Arms(2 nd ) Bear Arms(2 nd ) Protection from illegal search (4 th ) Protection from illegal search (4 th ) Incriminating yourself (5 th ) Incriminating yourself (5 th ) Fair trial (6 th ) Fair trial (6 th ) Cruel and Unusual Punishment (8 th ) Cruel and Unusual Punishment (8 th )

The Fifth Amendment Eminent Domain: The power of the gov’t to take your property when it’s needed to provide a public service. Eminent Domain: The power of the gov’t to take your property when it’s needed to provide a public service. You are paid fairly for your land or house You are paid fairly for your land or house Is this fair? Is it your right to keep your land or house? Is this fair? Is it your right to keep your land or house?

Constitution Amendments 13 th : Ended Slavery 13 th : Ended Slavery 15 th : African Americans can vote 15 th : African Americans can vote 18 th : Made alcohol illegal 18 th : Made alcohol illegal 19 th : Gave Women the right to vote 19 th : Gave Women the right to vote 21 st : Made alcohol legal again 21 st : Made alcohol legal again 25 th : Presidential Succession 25 th : Presidential Succession 26 th : Voting age lowered to th : Voting age lowered to 18