Who?
Continental Congress
When?
1781
What?
was the first plan for gov’t for the US
Why?
to give the states a unified gov’t
pros of the Articles of Confederation
- created a legislative branch
- gave Congress power to make laws
- gave Congress power to establish military
- gave Congress power to declare war
cons of the Articles of Confederation
- no executive branch
- no judicial courts
- no unified currency
- no power to tax
- a unanimous 100% vote was needed to fix the Articles
Why did the Articles FAIL?
- created a weak central gov’t
- gave the states too much power
- 13 states were NOT unified… acting as independent countries.
What is the Preamble?
Intro statement of the US constitution
states the goals and purposes of the US gov’t
Form a More Perfect Union
make the country stronger than it was in the past
ex) abolish slavery
Establish Justice
ensure all people are treated fairly under the law
ex) Judicial Branch
Insure Domestic Tranquility
to keep peace within the US
ex) police, creating laws
Provide for the Common Defense
protect the country from all enemies
ex) Military
Promote the General Welfare
support the happiness and well-being of people in the US
ex) Bill of Rights
Secure the Blessings of Liberty
guarantee that the US will always be free
ex) gov’t upholding the Constitution
Article 5
describes the 2-step process to amend (change) the US constitution
The Amendment Process
Step One - proposed by 2/3 vote in Congress
Step Two - ratified by 3/4 of the States
Adopted Amendments
- the amendment process is very complex
- to date, only 27 amendments have been added to the Constitution
What is the Bill of Rights?
- first 10 amendments of the Constitution
- guarantee and protect our individual rights
1st Amendment
Freedom of religion, assembly, press, petition and speech
2nd Amendment
right to bear arms
3rd amendment
prohibits the government from housing soldiers
4th amendment
no search or seizures without a warrant
5th amendment
protects rights of people being accused of a crime
6th amendment
right to a fair trial in court
