2. When was it written?
• The constitution was written on May 25, 1787 during the
Philadelphia Convention.
3. Who created it?
• James Madison created the majority of the U.S.
Constitution.
• He was born on March 16, 1751 In Port Conway, VA
• He died June 28, 1836
• President from 1809-1817
4. Why was it written?
• The Constitution was written to replace the previous
government, the Articles of Confederation
• The Articles did not provide for a central government
• States could impose their own tariffs, have their own
currency, and hold their own military.
• The Constitution gave an outline to our government
5. What events led to it?
• Boston Massacre: British soldiers fired upon colonists
• Articles of Confederation was ratified
o Did not have a central government
• Shays’s Rebellion: Group of farmers rebelled over losing
their land. Showed how weak the Articles were.
6. Where was it written?
• The U.S. Constitution was written in the Philadelphia
State house.
7. What documents was it
modeled from?
• The Articles of Confederation played a large role in
creating the Constitution. The articles set up the first
actual government in the United States.
• English Bill of Rights: Prevented monarchs from
enacting laws, raising taxes, or holding an army. It also
gave free speech to Parliament.
• Magna Carta: Protected the rights of nobles. Also said
that kings and queens had to follow English laws.
8. What problems did it
solve?
• Separation of Powers: The government was split into
three branches: Judicial, legislative, and executive.
• Limited government: Powers and functions of the
government were restricted.
• Popular Sovereignty: Ultimate political power remains
with the people.
• Three-Fifths Compromise: 3/5 of enslaved people would
be counted for the number of representatives.
9. Limitations?
• The Constitution limits the government by setting up the
three branches of split power.
• The branches also run on a system of checks and
balances, where each branch has certain powers over the
others.
• The Bill of Rights also sets out laws that the government
is supposed to follow.
10. Improvement?
• In my opinion, our government is very well set up. One
thing I would change though is how there are a lot of
loose interpretations. I would make the Constitution more
specific so there weren’t as many of those loose
interpretations.
11. Relevant?
• I do think that the Constitution is still as relevant today as
it was when it was created. Without this document, our
nation would not have a way of limiting government
power. The Bill of Rights are also included in the
Constitution and without that, we would not have our
basic rights.
