1. The Principles of the United States Constitution

2. Articles of Confederation
A loose association of states

3. Weaknesses of the Confederation Our first government founded 1781
No ability to tax means U.S. can Not pay bills
Cannot regulate trade/commerce between states
Can NOT establish treaties, post offices, and a common currency – each state has its own money
Every state has one vote

4. Events Leading to a New Constitution
Border disputes among states
Disagreements between states
Treaty violations of Great Britain
Barbary Pirates effect trade
Shay’s Rebellion
Annapolis Convention
Agreement for another convention

5. Constitutional Convention
Philadelphia meeting of delegates
Meet in secret
George Washington made president of the convention
Virginia Plan & New Jersey Plan
Constitution becomes a Bundle of Compromises
Factions become our political parties: -- Federalists and Anti-Federalists

6. I. Popular Sovereignty
The people hold the ultimate authority
A representative democracy lets the people elect leaders to make decisions for them.
“We THE PEOPLE” Power comes from the people and WE GIVE it to the GOVERNMENT when we VOTE for representatives!

7. II. Limited Government Framers wanted to guard against tyranny
Government is limited to the power given them in the Constitution.
The Constitution tells how leaders who overstep their power can be removed

8. III. Federalism
The division of power between State and National Governments
Some powers are shared
The National Government has the “supreme power”

9. Recipe for Success or What’s in it for Me?
Article One provides for:
Legislative Branch of government
Congress power and authority
Elastic clause – “Necessary & Proper”
States remain sovereign (they have control) in some matters
Some Powers denied federal and state government
Taxes
Ability to conduct war

10. Legislative Branch Senate and House of Representatives Make our laws
Appropriate Money
Regulate Immigration
Establish Post Offices and Roads
Regulate Interstate Commerce and Transportation
Declare War

11. Article 2 - Executive Executive Branch Terms of office Elections
Salaries
Oath of office
Powers of the president
Ability to make treaties and appointments

12. Executive Branch The President of the United States Chief Executive
Chief of State
Chief Legislator
Commander in Chief

13. Article 3 Judicial Branch Federal Courts Jurisdiction Supreme Court
Jury Trials

14. Judicial Branch Supreme Court and other Federal Courts
Preserve and protect the rights guaranteed by the Constitution
Considers cases involving national laws
Declares laws and acts “unconstitutional”

15. Article 4 Explains the powers of the state
Mutual duties and privileges
Extradition
Fugitive slave clause
New states and territories
Federal protection for states
Amending process

16. Article 5 National Supremacy Public debts and treaties Supreme law
Oaths of Office

17. Article 6 Ratification of the constitution Signing of the delegates
Bill of Rights necessary and promised by Federalists to secure final ratification of the constitution

18. The Bill of Rights
These are the first 10 changes to the original constitution
Designed to PROTECT US FROM THE ACTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT

19. Bill of rights = The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution
1. Right to free speech, right to free press, to assemble in groups, to worship as you wish, to petition the government when you think they have harmed you
2. Right to bear arms – protect from govt.
3. Quartering of troops – need search warrants
4. Search and seizures – warrants need probable cause
5. Rights of accused persons
6. Right to a speedy trial
7. Civil suits

20. Bill of Rights Contd. 8. Bail and punishment
9. Powers reserved to the people (the people’s rights are not limited to those mentioned in the written document)
10. Powers reserved to the state (protects the states and the people from a too powerful central government/ a check on the “necessary and proper clause” in Article I)

21. IV. Separation of Powers
No one branch holds “too much” power
Legislative branch makes the laws
Executive branch carries out the laws
Legislative branch interprets the laws

22. V. Checks and Balances Prevents the abuse of power in government
Each branch can check each other branch

24. Legislative Checks Override president’s veto Ratify treaties
Confirm executive appointments
Impeach federal officers and judges
Create and dissolve lower federal courts

25. Executive Checks Propose laws to Congress Veto laws made by Congress
Negotiate foreign treaties
Appoint federal judges
Grant pardons to federal offenders

26. Judicial Checks Declare executive acts unconstitutional
Declare laws unconstitutional
Declare acts of Congress unconstitutional
The Supreme Court holds the final check