The Constitution

The ConstitutionThe Constitution

Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation

First Government of the United States

Consisted of a One House Legislature No Judicial or Executive Branch

First Government of the United States

Consisted of a One House Legislature No Judicial or Executive Branch

Limited Government (Weak Central Government)

Gov’t could not regulate trade or Collect Taxes

Majority of the Power Belonged To States

Limited Government (Weak Central Government)

Gov’t could not regulate trade or Collect Taxes

Majority of the Power Belonged To States

Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation

Growing ProblemGrowing Problem

Due to not being able to collect taxes the gov’t did not have any money Shay’s Rebellion

Due to not being able to collect taxes the gov’t did not have any money Shay’s Rebellion

Constitutional ConventionConstitutional Convention

Philadelphia 1787 55 delegates from 12 States

Aim of the Convention was to REVISE the Articles of Confederation.

Philadelphia 1787 55 delegates from 12 States

Aim of the Convention was to REVISE the Articles of Confederation.

Virginia PlanVirginia Plan Proposed plan for a new stronger

central gov’t (James Madison) Three Branches of Government

Legislative Two House Legislature (based on population)

Executive Judicial

Proposed plan for a new stronger central gov’t (James Madison)

Three Branches of Government Legislative

Two House Legislature (based on population)

Executive Judicial

New Jersey PlanNew Jersey Plan

Plan called for a Single House legislature with equal representation

Also would expand powers of Congress to allow gov’t to raise money and regulate commerce

Plan called for a Single House legislature with equal representation

Also would expand powers of Congress to allow gov’t to raise money and regulate commerce

Great CompromiseGreat Compromise

Great CompromiseGreat Compromise

Two House Legislature House of Representatives based on

population Senate each state has two seats

Judicial Branch Executive Branch

Two House Legislature House of Representatives based on

population Senate each state has two seats

Judicial Branch Executive Branch

Issue of SlaveryIssue of Slavery Three-Fifths Compromise

Each slave counts as three-fifths a person

Slave Trade Slave trade allowed to continue for a

period of 20 years

Three-Fifths Compromise Each slave counts as three-fifths a

person Slave Trade

Slave trade allowed to continue for a period of 20 years

Federalists vs AntifederalistsFederalists vs Antifederalists

Federalists Supporters of the Constitution

Federalists Supporters of the Constitution

Federalists vs AntifederalistsFederalists vs Antifederalists

Antifederalists Afraid the Constitution would weaken

the states Wanted Bill of Rights to ensure

protection of basic freedoms

Antifederalists Afraid the Constitution would weaken

the states Wanted Bill of Rights to ensure

protection of basic freedoms

Bill of RightsBill of Rights

First Ten Amendments to the Constitution

Aims to protect people against the abuses of the Federal Government

First Ten Amendments to the Constitution

Aims to protect people against the abuses of the Federal Government

1st Amendment1st Amendment

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances

1st Amendment1st Amendment

Freedom of religion, speech, press, and the right to peacefully assemble

Freedom of religion, speech, press, and the right to peacefully assemble

2nd Amendment2nd Amendment

A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

2nd Amendment2nd Amendment

The right to bear arms The right to bear arms

3rd Amendment3rd Amendment

No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law

No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law

3rd Amendment3rd Amendment

The government cannot force people to allow soldiers to live in their house

The government cannot force people to allow soldiers to live in their house

4th Amendment4th Amendment

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probably cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probably cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized


Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures

Warrant is needed in order to be able to perform a search

Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures

Warrant is needed in order to be able to perform a search


No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation


A person cannot be a witness against himself

A person cannot be tried twice for the same crime (double jeopardy)

A person cannot be a witness against himself

A person cannot be tried twice for the same crime (double jeopardy)


In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation, to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation, to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.


Right to a speedy trial Right to counsel (lawyer)

Right to a speedy trial Right to counsel (lawyer)


In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law


Right to a trial by jury Right to a trial by jury


Excessive bail shall not be required nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted

Excessive bail shall not be required nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted


No cruel and unusual punishment No cruel and unusual punishment


The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.


People have more rights than what are listed in the Constitution, and those rights are also protected by the Constitution.

People have more rights than what are listed in the Constitution, and those rights are also protected by the Constitution.


The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people


If a power is not given to the Federal Government by the Constitution, then that power belongs to the states. (ex: Schools)

If a power is not given to the Federal Government by the Constitution, then that power belongs to the states. (ex: Schools)

Documents

The Constitution