A New United States

U.S. ConstitutionU.S. Constitution

Framers of the Constitution were intelligent/schooled men English democratic tradition

Magna Carta (1215): limited limited the monarch’s powers powers & gave more 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 government

Drew on thousands of years of sources & models

Political developments from Greek philosophers & the Roman republic

Set-upSet-up of the Constitution

PreamblePreamble IntroIntro

ArticlesArticles 7 total7 total

AmendmentsAmendments Bill of RightsBill 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)union (of states)To establish justicejustice (protect & set the law)To ensure domestic tranquility (peace @ home)tranquility (peace @ home)To provide for the common defensedefense (defend country)To promote the general welfarewelfare (voting, well-being of general population)To secure the blessings of libertyliberty

Popular SovereigntyPopular Sovereignty A monarch is unconstitutional People should have authorityPeople should have authority Right to alter or abolish government

Limited government Limited government Avoid tyranny Govt hasGovt has powers only expressed in powers only expressed in

ConstitutionConstitution

More principlesSeparation of powerSeparation of power 3 branches of 3 branches of

governmentgovernment Executive: : President Legislative: Congress Judicial: Courts

Checks & balancesChecks & balances No abuse of powerNo abuse of power Each branch can Each branch can

limit the other twolimit the other two

Principles continued…

FederalismFederalism Division of powerDivision of power FederalFederal government divided from thedivided from the statestate

National Govt. State Govt.BOTH

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

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

Reserved Powers• Regulate trade within the state• Establish local govt. systems• Conduct elections• Establish public schools systems

Final principles…

RepublicanismRepublicanism Republic form of government Citizens elect representativesCitizens elect representatives

Individual RightsIndividual Rights Protects rights of individual citizensProtects rights of individual citizens

The Articles#1 – Legislative branch#2 – Executive branch#3 – Judicial branch#4 – Relation between states#5 – Amendment process#6 – National supremacy Constitution is “supreme

law of the land”#7 – Ratification

Bill of Rights

Freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, & petitionRight to bear armsNo lodging troops in private homesSearch & SeizureRights of the accused

Right to speedy trial by juryJury trial in civil casesBail & punishmentPowers reserved to the peoplePowers reserved to the states

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