The document summarizes the origins and development of the US Constitution. It discusses the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation that led to the need for a new governing document. It then outlines the key debates and compromises that took place at the Constitutional Convention between those favoring a strong national government and those wanting to preserve state power, such as the Connecticut Compromise. The summary concludes by briefly mentioning the addition of the Bill of Rights and later amendments to the Constitution.

1. THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
And the Bill of Rights

2. Most Americans Are Clueless
• How Much Do You Know?

3. The Original 13 Colonies
Colony Year Founded By Royal Colony
Virginia 1607 London Company 1624
Massachusetts 1620 Puritans 1691
New Hampshire 1623 John Wheelwright 1679
Maryland 1634 Lord Baltimore N/A
Connecticut c. 1635 Thomas Hooker N/A
Rhode Island 1636 Roger Williams N/A
Delaware 1638 Peter Minuit & New Sweden Company N/A
North Carolina 1653 Virginians 1729
South Carolina 1663 Eight Nobles -Royal Charter from Charles II 1729
New Jersey 1664 Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret 1702
New York 1664 Duke of York 1685
Pennsylvania 1682 William Penn N/A
Georgia 1732 James Edward Oglethorpe 1752
Virginia 1607 London Company 1624

4. The Articles of 1779-1781
1. Preamble – Union 8. Common War Costs
2. States Rights 9. State Disputes,
3. Common Defense Common Currency,
4. Free Citizens Post Offices, Forbids
5. Congressional Congressional Action
Delegates (2-7) without majority
6. Congress – War vote.
7. States Appoint 10. Committees (11)
Military Officers
12. $ & 13. Ratification

5. Weaknesses of the Articles?
Could only request revenues
from states; no power to
raise funds for militia
Amendments required
unanimous consent and
ratification by all states.
No judicial system

6. Why did They Need A Constitution?
• After the Revolution

7. Constitutional Convention- 1877
• Madison and Mason  No Rhode
Island
 40 /55
Active
Members
 Wealthy

8. Opposite Sides of the Fence
– Nationalists
• Strong central government
– Democratic Nationalists supported strong
central based on popular support.
– Small sector of group wanted narrowly
defined republican central government.
– Small sector of group was concerned with
claims western lands.

9. Two Plans -
Virginia New Jersey
 Two Bodies (House &
 One State One Vote
Senate)
 Lower body chosen  Congress would
by the people. regulate trade/taxes
 Upper congress  Supreme Doctrine
chosen by state
legislatures  Executives chosen by
 Legislature chooses Congress
President  Supreme Court
 Big Land States Favored chosen by Executives
 Judges Chosen by  Favored Smaller
Legislature States

10. Compromise
The Connecticut Plan
House – State Populations
Slaves count as 3/5’s of a free citizen.
Senate – Two Per State
School House Rock

11. Balance?

12. Is it the Constitution of the People?
– In 1913, Charles Beard sparked debate questioning if
Americans supported the Constitution. Beard’s Thesis:
the Constitution was written by wealthy property
owners to ensure their self-interest. Based on the elite
theory.
• Overall, Americans (poor and rich) supported the need for a
strong national government to protect public welfare.

13. The Bill of Rights

14. The Bill of Rights

15. The Bill of Rights

16. The Bill of Rights

17. The Bill of Rights

18. The Bill of Rights

19. The Bill of Rights

20. The Bill of Rights

21. The Bill of Rights

22. Amendments 11-27 (1794- 1992)
 The longest was sent to the states in 1794 and ratified in 1992.
Rick Perry’s Constitutional
Amendments
1. End life time judicial appointments
2. Congress can over ride the Supreme
Court (2/3)
3. No Federal Income Tax
4. Stop the people from voting for
Senators
5. Balanced Budget Amendment
6. Marriage is one man/one woman only
7. Abortion illegal.