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Learn about the U.S. Constitution, the fundamental law that determines the political principles of the U.S. government. Explore its history, compromises, and impact on the country. Understand how other countries have created their own constitutions. Analyze the Alabama Constitution of 1901 and assess its relevance and potential for change.
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What is a Constitution • Fundamental law • Law determining the fundamental political principles of a government • Often codified as a written document • Purpose • To create a framework of government
The U.S. Constitution Independence Hall, Philadelphia, PA, September, 1787 The Signing of the United States Constitution by Thomas Pritchard Rossiter
U.S. Constitution Timeline September 17, 1787 Constitution signed December 1791 Bill of Rights becomes part of the Constitution May 1787 Constitutional Convention begins June 1788 New Hampshire ratifies the Constitution
Creation of the US Constitution • Constitutional Convention • Philadelphia, PA • 55 Delegates from 12 states • James Madison, Father of the Constitution
Constitutional Compromises • Virginia Plan • Designed largely by James Madison • Presented by Gov. Edmund Randolph • Called for a federal legislative, executive, & judicial branches • Scrap the Articles of Confederation • New federal government • Could impose laws on the states • Collect taxes • Bicameral Legislature • Upper house elected by the people • Lower house elected by the upper house • Number of representatives based on population • Favored large states (VA, NY, MA)
Constitutional Compromises • New Jersey Plan • Presented by William Patterson of NJ • Keep the Articles of Confederation • Modify them to make federal government stronger • Unicameral Legislature • Equal representation for all states • Federal government • Raise taxes • Regulate trade
Constitutional Compromises • Connecticut or Great Compromise • Committee headed by Ben Franklin • Proposed by Roger Sherman of CT • Bicameral Legislature • House of Representatives • Based on population • Elected by the people • Senate • Equal representation • Elected by the state legislatures
Constitutional Compromises • Slavery • One member of the House of Representatives for every 40,000 people • The South • Count each slave for representation • The North • Slaves cannot vote and should not be counted • If slaves count for representation count them for taxes as well • Three-Fifths Compromise • Every five slaves would count as three free white persons for representation and taxes
Constitutional Compromises • Other Compromises • Federal government • Could not tax exports • Would not ban the slave trade until 1808 • Nine of thirteen states had to ratify the Constitution for it to take effect
Other Constitutions • C.S.A. (1861) • We the people of the Confederacy • Russia (1993) • We, the multinational people of the Russian Federation • Brazil (1998) • We, the representatives of the Brazilian People • Afghanistan (2004) • We the people of Afghanistan
Alabama Constitution (1901) • 357,157 words (4,400 US Constitution) • 798 Amendments (27 US Constitution) • Why was it written? • White Supremacy, Honest Elections and the New Constitution, One and Inseparable • Why is it so long? • Power is concentrated in the state government • Counties lack home rule • How does the US Constitution address this? • The 10th Amendment
Constitutional Compromises • Legislatures still operate the same way • Meet in committees to discuss measures • Present ideas to assembly for a vote
Group Assignment • Quickly divide into groups of three • Each group will get one amendment from the Alabama Constitution of 1901 • Read it • Debate: • Is this amendment important to everyone in the state • Would you change it? How? • Update the language • Present it to the class for a vote
