US Constitution PowerPoint

THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION

POWERPOINT

Alic Brock

Questions that are asked about the United States Constitution.

When was the Constitution written?

Who created it?

Why was it written?

What events led to its creation?

Where was it written?

What historical documents was it modeled after?

What problems in our society did the Constitution solve?

What are its limitations?

How would you improve it?

Do you feel it is as relevant today as it was when the Constitution was first created?

Alic Brock

Constitution Facts

The United States Constitution was created on September 17, 1787.

It was ratified June 21, 1788

Ratify: \ˈra-tə-ˌfī\ to approve and sanction formally.

http://www.knowledgerush.com/wiki_image/9/97/Constitution_of_the_United_States_Ratification.png Alic

Brock

Constitution Facts

The authors of the Constitution were the Delegates of the Philadelphia Convention (also known as the Constitutional Convention, or Federal Convention)

There were 55 Delegates who drafted the United States Constitution.

State # of Delegates that attended

Connecticut 3

Delaware 5

Georgia 4

Maryland 5

Massachusetts 4

New Hampshire

2

New Jersey 5

New York 3

North Carolina 5

Pennsylvania 8

South Carolina 4

Virginia 7

Rhode Island 0

Not all Delegates that attended the Convention signed the Constitution

Alic Brock

Why was it

written?It was written to show the three branches of government: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial

It tells the power of each branch.

To tell the framework of the United States Government.

Also tells the relationship of the Federal government to state governments and to all the citizens in the United States.

Alic Brock

What events led to its creation?

The failure of the Articles of Confederation. It created a weak national government, there was no president or Judicial branch. Congress was the only branch of government. Federal government could not enforce laws on states.

The American Revolution left the United States very weak. Farmers revolted because many of their land was being taken away.

http://www.brown.edu/Students/INDY/archives/2005-10-27/images/constitution.jpgAlic Brock

Where was it written?

The United States Constitution was written in the Philadelphia State House. Also where George Washington received his commission as Commander of the Continental Army. Now called Independence Hall

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Independence_Hall_belltower.jpg Alic Brock

What problems in our society did the Constitution solve?

The Constitution solved the problem of only one branch of government and provided us with: the Legislative branch, Executive branch, and Judicial branch.

Checks and Balances was created. There was a separation of power between branches of government.

The Electoral College was created to represent the states in presidential elections.

Alic Brock

What major historical documents was the US constitution modeled after?

Commentaries on the Laws of England by William Blackstone. This book gave rights and wrongs of people in a society. Was about the common law of England.

The Spirit of the Laws by Baron de Montesquieu. This book talked about separation of powers and constitutionalism.

Social Contract by Jean Jacques Rousseau. This talked about the more efficient way to set up political community. Government should be of the people.

Two Treatises of Government by John Locke. It covers the idea that every man is created equal under God.

Alic Brock

What are its limitations?

The United States Constitution limits the power of the government. Each branch has their own powers. No government is all-powerful, and that it may only do things that the people have given it power to do.

The government must obey the law. This is the principle called constitutionalism.

http://www.cityofmemphis.org/media/images/gov2.jpg Alic Brock

What would you change about the US constitution?

I would not change anything. I agree with the separation of powers and checks and balances. The government for the people and by the people is clearly shown in this document. What isn’t in the constitution is left for the state governments to rule. Such as, drug limitations, schooling requirements, and traffic laws.

http://www.lasc.be/government/images/CapitolBuilding_000.jpg

Alic Brock

Do you feel it is as relevant today as it was when it was written?

The US constitution is completely as relevant today as it was when it was written because the same principles are proposed today. Laws are still unconstitutional and we still have to rule by the constitution. The division of powers is still working today. It still makes this country run with a stable democracy.

Alic Brock