Unit 4: The United States Constitution

CCGPS: SS8H3b-Describe the role of Georgia at the Constitutional Convention of 1787; include the role of Abraham Baldwin and William Few, and reasons why Georgia ratified the new Constitution.

Today’s AGENDA MessageAnswer these 7 homework questions:1. Why was there a need for a new Constitution in 1787? 2. Which six men are regarded as the Founding Fathers

of the USA? 3. Who wrote the Constitution? 4. Who were the two Georgians that signed the

Constitution? 5. What is the Bill of Rights? 6. Which state was the 4th state to ratify/approve the

Constitution? 7. What is another name for the Bill of Rights?

Founding Fathers of the USA

• These men made great contributions to the establishment of the USA.

• The Founding Fathers of this nation are:George Washington John Adams Thomas Jefferson

James Madison Benjamin Franklin Alexander Hamilton

United States Constitution• Written in Philadelphia in Independence Hall, at the

Constitutional Convention of 1787 by James Madison• This 4 page document is the “supreme law of the

land.” • It established a new way to govern all of the states

and guaranteed all citizens the same basic rights. Each state decides how to govern themselves.

Constitutional Convention of 1787

• At the Constitutional Convention of 1787:1. George Washington was elected President of

the United States of America.2. Democratic Republic was selected as the type of

government for the USA.A. Republic: allows citizens to choose representatives to govern for them.B. Democracy: reflects the will of the people.

United States Constitution• This document does the following:

1. Bicameral government (2 houses)A. Senate: Each state has the same

number of votes (2)B. House of Representatives: Number of

votes are based on a state’s population

3. Divides power into 3 branches of government, with a system of Checks and balances:1. Executive: Enforce the laws2. Legislative: Make laws3. Judicial: Interpret the laws

2. National government has the power to collect taxes and regulate trade

4. Electoral College was created to elect a president:•Each state would select electors (representatives).•The number of electors for each state would equal the # of its senators and representatives.•The electors vote the president.

Constitutional Convention of 1787• On September 17, 1787, the delegates

approved and signed the U.S. Constitution.• Georgia held a special convention to ratify

(approve) the Constitution.• Georgia was the 4th state to approve the U.S.

Constitution.• The signers for Georgia were Abraham

Baldwin and William Few.

Abraham Baldwinhttp://www.gpb.org/georgiastories/stories/abraham_baldwin

William Few

Bill of Rights

• Guarantees rights to protect all Americans against the power of government

• James Madison wrote them • They are also known as the first 10 amendments

(additions) to the Constitution:Examples: Five Freedoms = Freedom of religion, speech,

press, to assemble, and to petition the governmentMore Examples: Trial by jury of peers, no quartering of

soldiers in homes of citizens, the right to bear arms, etc.