2. A quick review of our principles

3. 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

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

5. 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.

6. Democracy
The people rule.

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

8. Declaration of Independence

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

11. 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!

12. Articles of Confederation

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

14. 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.

15. http://www. constitutioncenter

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. 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

20. US Constitution

21. 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.

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

23. 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.

24. purposes of the US Constitution

25. 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.

26. 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”

27. Bill of Rights

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

29. 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.

30. 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”

31. In a picture…. OR

32. Charlie Brown: Constitutional Convention .

33. The Preamble

34. 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.

35. 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

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

37. Why Virginia is AWESOME:

38. Charters of the Virginia
Company of London
These charters guaranteed the rights of Englishmen to the colonists.

39. 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.”

40. 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

41. 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)

42. 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)