1. Section 4 Notes

2.  As the delegates wrote the new
CONSTITUTION, they drew from a variety of
sources. From the IROQUOIS LEAGUE, they took
the idea that states would govern their OWN
AFFAIRS but join together for DEFENSE.
 The idea of limiting the power of a ruler was
taken from England’s MAGNA CARTA OF 1215.
 The notion of people’s right to
LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
came from the writings of the English
philosopher JOHN LOCKE.
 The delegates took the concept of the
SEPARATION OF POWERS from the writings of the
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU.

7.  Under the CONSTITUTION, the FEDERAL
government obtained greater powers. The
states retained many powers. However, the
CONSTITUTION was considered the SUPREME
LAW OF THE LAND.
 The CONSTITUTION divides the federal
government into the following three
branches:

9.  The LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, made up of the
SENATE and the HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, makes the laws.
 The EXECUTIVE BRANCH carries out the laws
passed by the LEGISLATIVE BRANCH. This
branch includes the PRESIDENT and any
advisors.
 The JUDICIAL BRANCH is charged with
INTERPRETING THE LAWS and deciding cases
that involve CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS as well
as disputes BETWEEN STATES.

10.  The CONSTITUTION created the ELECTORAL
COLLEGE as a way of electing the PRESIDENT.
It is made up of electors who represent the
voters in each state.
 The writers of the CONSTITUTION also
established a system to keep each branch of
the FEDERAL government from assuming too
much authority. This system of safeguards is
called CHECKS AND BALANCES. It gives each
branch some control over the other
branches.

12.  As the states debated the ratification of the
CONSTITUTION, two camps emerged:
FEDERALISTS favored the CONSTITUTION and
strong national government it created. ANTI-
FEDERALISTS opposed the CONSTITUTION and
stronger central government.
 In June 1788, the 9th state approved the
CONSTITUTION and it became the law of the
land.
 In 1789, CONGRESS added a BILL OF RIGHTS to
the CONSTITUTION. These 10 AMENDMENTS
provided GREATER RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS for the
nation’s citizens.