The United States Constitution

1. The United States Constitution Sweet Old Documents, YEAH!

2. Convention! Huzzah! • Convention called “for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation.” • Rhode Island didn’t show up, can’t amend the Articles • Chuck out the Articles and start fresh

3. Important Compromises • Connecticut Compromise (a.k.a. Great Compromise) • Love-child of New Jersey and Virginia Plans • NJ – Congress with equal representation for all states • VA – Congress with representation based on population • Bicameral Legislature • one house based on pop (House of Reps) • One house equal (Senate)

4. Compromises cont’d • Slavery – two big decisions • Agreed that Congress could limit future importation of slaves (beginning in 1808) • Agreed that each slave would count as 3/5 of a person

5. So what do we end up with? • The oldest written Constitution still in effect • Ballpark 7,591words (counting Amendments) • Three main parts • Preamble - Intro • Articles - Body • Amendments – The new bits

6. Preamble • 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, 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.

7. Articles • Article I – Legislative Branch • Article II – Executive Branch • Article III – Judicial Branch • Article IV – Relations between States • Article V – Amendment Process • Article VI – Supremacy Clause • Article VII – Ratification (9/13 states)

8. Major Principles • Popular Sovereignty • Limited Government • Federalism • Separation of Powers • Checks and Balances • Judicial Review