The Constitution: Formation, Powers, and Amendments

1. Constitutional Convention 14 Source: http://www.founding.org/assets/images/PRESIDE.jpg Virginia Plan Source: http://www.bartleby.com/124/madison.g if Great Compromise Source: http://www.gwu.edu/~ffcp/exhibit/p7/p7_4med.jpg James Madison designed the Virginia Plan as a basis for the Constitution Roger Sherman helped organize the Great Compromise George Washington served as the President of the Convention The Constitution was signed in September 1787 Leaders such as Patrick Henry opposed the Constitution because it contained no Bill of Rights Alexander Hamilton helped write the Federalist Papers Actual document containing the Bill of Rights Existing Copy of the Federalist Papers

2. Preamble 15 Source: http://www.homeofheroes.com/hallofheroes/1st_floor/birth/preamble_large.jpg Three Branches Source: http://www.seaford.k12.de.us/webdigs/images/govt.h2.jpg Amendment Process Source: http://home.pacbell.net/macknet/rights.jpg The new Constitution was a much stronger government than the Articles of Confederation. Article Four of the Constitution discussed the relationship of the states to one another---Fugitive are specifically mentioned. The Preamble is the introduction of the Constitution and lists our nation’s goals. The Constitution would divide our government into three branches. Treason is the only crime defined by the Constitution---It was defined to protect the right to oppose the government as Actress Jane Fonda did during the Vietnam War---although many disagreed with her. During the debate over the Constitution, a Bill of Rights was proposed to make the first additions to the Constitution as described in Article Five.

3. Checks and Balances 16 Source: http://www.rdrop.com/~half/Creations/Writings/Notebook/USGov.gif Enumerated Powers Source: http://www.centercoin.com/images/currency/5dol_32sheet.jpg Reserved Powers Source: http://www.ssi-net.com/education/art_education/a1_education.gif There are several layers of government in our system so that government can respond to citizen’s needs. The Constitution divided the powers of government into Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches to prevent abuses of power. --- Enumerated powers are given to the National gov’t, Reserved powers are given to the states, and Concurrent powers are used by all levels of gov’t. Printing money is one of the Enumerated powers given to the National government. Our system of Federalism divides powers between the National, State, and Local governments. A system of Checks and Balances was designed in the Constitution to prevent abuses.

4. Amendments 17 Source: http://boxer.senate.gov/whm/i/amend15.gif Implied Powers Source: http://www.law.du.edu/chen/Constitutional%20Law%20I/ConLaw1.jpg Interpretation of the Constitution Source: http://www.allstarreview.com/supremecourt1.jpg The Constitution has worked so well because it was designed to change when we needed it to change. Not all proposed Amendments pass---The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)was approved by Congress but did not gain ratification by enough states. The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote. Alexander Hamilton argued for the loose interpretation of the Constitution in order to allow for Implied Powers The final interpretation of the Constitution belongs to the Justices of the Supreme Court The Constitution can be amended through two different processes.