1. Life in a New Nation: Articles of Confederation and The Constitution Calhoun Academy 4th Grade

2. The Constitutional Convention
In May 1787, 55 representatives, or delegates,
met in Philadelphia to begin revising the
Articles of Confederation to form
a stronger government. Philadelphia was
chosen because of its location to all
the colonies. George Washington was
elected to be the leader of the convention.

3. THE CONSTITUTION
The Constitution was written to solve problems in the weak government under the Articles of Confederation.
The Constitution is based on the idea that the authority (power) of government comes directly from the people.
The Constitution listed out powers that only the government will have.

4. THE CONSTITUTION
The Constitution starts with the state, “We the People.”
Under the Constitution, the government’s powers were shared between the states and the federal (national) government in a system known as federalism.
The National Congress is comprised of two houses; the Senate and the House of Representatives.

5. THE CONSTITUTION
In the Senate, the people of each state have equal representation regardless of size or population.
In the House of Representatives, the people of the state are evenly represented by a number of representatives based on the population of the state.
South Carolina has six members
The Constitution provides for separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches, unlike the Article of Confederation.

6. THE CONSTITUTION
The Constitution begins with a Preamble, or introduction.
The Preamble clearly sets out the Constitution’s major goals: to establish justice, to ensure peace, to defend the nation, and to protect the people’s well being and liberty (freedom).

7. Articles vs. Constitution
The Articles of Confederation and the Constitution are similar because they both provided for the establishment of government
They are different in their understanding of where the authority for government rests and in the powers that are given to the national government

8. The PREAMBLE