The US ConstitutionThe US Constitution((17871787))

What is the Constitution?What is the Constitution?

Supreme Law of Supreme Law of the USthe US

Basic source of Basic source of legal authoritylegal authority

Organizes the Organizes the governmentgovernment

Writing the ConstitutionWriting the Constitution

Made up by Made up by delegates of delegates of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania led by Gouverneur led by Gouverneur

MorrisMorris It was scripted by It was scripted by

Jacob ShallusJacob Shallus Completed in 1787Completed in 1787

Parts of the DocumentParts of the Document

Constitution is made up of ‘articles’Constitution is made up of ‘articles’ The first part is the PreambleThe first part is the Preamble

Statement of PurposeStatement of Purpose Article 1 – 3: Balance of powerArticle 1 – 3: Balance of power

1. Legislative1. Legislative 2. Executive2. Executive 3. Judicial3. Judicial

Article 4: States’ Powers and LimitsArticle 4: States’ Powers and Limits Discusses relationship between state Discusses relationship between state

and federal governmentand federal government Article 5: AmendmentsArticle 5: Amendments

The Bill of RightsThe Bill of Rights Article 6: Federal PowerArticle 6: Federal Power

Binds state to federal governmentBinds state to federal government No conflict between state and federalNo conflict between state and federal

Article 7: RatificationArticle 7: Ratification Acceptance of the ConstitutionAcceptance of the Constitution

RatificationRatification

InfluencesInfluences

MontesquieuMontesquieu Need for balanced Need for balanced

powerpower John Locke (1632-John Locke (1632-

1704)1704) PhilosopherPhilosopher

Magna Carta Magna Carta (1215)(1215) Common LawCommon Law

Why Make a Constitution?Why Make a Constitution?

No set power in No set power in coloniescolonies

Colonies could not Colonies could not agree upon agree upon government issuesgovernment issues