A New United States

U.S. ConstitutionU.S. Constitution

English democratic traditionFramers of the Constitution were intelligent/schooled men

Magna Carta (1215): limit limit the monarch’s powers powers & gave more power to the legislature

English Bill of Rights Bill of Rights (1689)

Influenced by John Locke’s theories of natural rightsnatural rights

…and Baron de Montequieu’s ideas of separating & separating & balancing the powers balancing the powers of the gov’t

Drew on thousands of years of sources & models

Political developments from Greek philosophers & the Roman republic

Set-up Set-up of the Constitution

Preamble Intro

Articles 7 total

Amendments Bill of Rights

Ten as of 1791 27 overall

Preamble of the Constitution

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic

tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to

ourselves & our posterity, do ordain & establish this Constitution for the United

States of America.

Goals of the PreambleGoals of the Preamble

To form a more perfect union (of states)To establish justice (protect & set the law)To ensure domestic tranquility (peace @ home)To provide for the common defense (defend country)To promote the general welfare (well-being of general population)To secure the blessings of liberty

The Articles

1) Legislative branch2) Executive branch3) Judicial branch4) Relation between states5) Amendment process6) National supremacy

Constitution is “supreme law of the land”

7) Ratification

Popular Sovereignty A monarch is

unconstitutional People should have

authority Right to alter or

abolish government

Examples in the Constitution: “We the people…establish this

Constitution for the United States of America”

House of Representatives (chosen by people) given power to raise money-bills

States given right to decide on slavery (10th Amendment)

Basic PrinciplesLimited government Avoid tyranny

Gov’t has powers only expressed in Constitution

Everyone must obey law

Examples in the Constitution: Article 1, Section 9 – Powers denied

to Congress

Article 1, Section 10 – Powers denied the States

10th Amendment – Reserved clause…powers reserved to the states

Basic Principles

Separation of power 3 branches of

government (Articles 1-3)

Executive: President Legislative: Congress Judicial: Courts

Checks & balances No abuse of power Each branch can limit

the other two

National StateBOTHBOTHEnumerated Enumerated Powers•Regulate trade•Coin money•Provide an army & navy•Conduct foreign affairs•Set up federal courts

Concurrent Concurrent Powers•Enforce the laws•Establish courts•Collect taxes•Borrow money•Provide for the general welfare

ReservedReserved Powers•Regulate trade within the state•Establish local gov’t systems•Conduct elections•Establish public schools system

Federalism Division of gov’t power Federal government divided from the state

Basic Principles

Basic PrinciplesRepublicanism Republic form of government Citizens elect representatives Example – Article 4, Section 4 – “guaranteed a republican

form of government”

Individual Rights Protects rights of individual citizens

Bill of Rights

1) Freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, & petition

2) Right to bear arms3) No lodging troops in

private homes4) Search & Seizure

5) Rights of the accused6) Right to speedy trial by

jury7) Jury trial in civil cases8) Bail & punishment9) Powers to the people10) Powers to the states

12 amendments proposed in 1789…10 amendments ratified by Congress on 12/15/1791 & known as Bill of Rights