The United States Constitution

By Brandon Fannin

What is the United States Constitution?

The United States Constitution is a legislative document that defines the way that our government is set up and run. It sets the framework for all other legislation in the United States. However, many U.S. citizens do not know much about it. 

When was it written?Who wrote it?What does it do exactly?Can it be improved?

In the next couple of slides, these questions and more will be addressed.

The Writing of the Constitution

• After gaining independence from Britain, the United States did not act united at all. Each state acted as its own government andboth economic and political problems soon surfaced. 

• This led to Shay's rebellion, an attack led by Daniel Shays on a federal arsenal. This attack along with the obvious need for a strong central government led to to formation of the Constitution. 

The Writing of the Constitution

• The Constitution was written in 1787, but didn't take effect until 1789.

• It was created by a group of delegates known as the framers. These included George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin, as well as 55 others. (74 were invited but only 55 could attend.)

The Writing of the Constitution

• It was written in Philadelphia's Independence Hall, probably in the same room in which the Declaration on Independence had been signed. 

• The Constitution was written because the Articles of Confederation were flawed and the nation's leaders felt that it was necessary to build a new government that would best meet the needs of the nation. 

Impact of other historic documents

• William Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England talked about the rights and wrongs in society. 

• Baron de Montesquieu's The Spirit of the Laws emphasized the need to have balanced forces pushing against each other to prevent tyranny.

Impact of other historic documents• Jean Jacques Rousseau's Social

Contract said that the government should be run by the people.

• John Locke's Two Treatises of Government says all men are created equal.

• The Articles of Confederation was what ran the government before the Constitution. Although there were many flaws, some pieces of the Constitution were taken directly from this document. 

Impact of other historic documents

• Other State Constitutions had been formed in an un-united attempt to design government. Some pieces from these individual constitutions were incorporated into the new Constitution. 

• The due process clause of the Constitution was based on the parts of the Magna Carta.

Problems Solved• The Constitution created a three branch

governmental system which solved the problem of too much power being in one place.

• It created checks and balances which solved the problem of one branch having too much power.

• It created the electoral college which solved the problem of voting in presidential elections. 

• It created popular sovereignty which says that the people are the only source for any and all governmental power. 

Limitations• The Constitution is limited by

the tenth amendment. This amendment says that anything not addressed in the Constitution is up to the states to decide. 

• Therefore, the Constitution is limited to exactly what it says. Anything other than what is explicitly stated is out of its control. 

Can the Constitution be improved?• Everything can be improved. Nothing is perfect and there are

not exceptions to that statement. However, with respect to the citizens of the United States, the current Constitution is a good document to ensure the best democracy possible for the greatest amount of people. I would not change anything about the Constitution. 

Then vs. Now• Though times have changed, the

Constitution has only slightly. 

• Adding amendments that prohibit slavery and protect voting rights has helped unify our nation, but currently, I do not think that there are any other amendments that could be added. 

• If anything, the Constitution is more relevant now due to the addition of such amendments as previously listed. 

Works Cited• http://www.morningconstitution.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/American-Constitution.jpg• http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Uploads/Graphics/002-0731161909-Constitution.jpg• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Constitution• http://news-antique.com/primages/1/WebGeppiJoinorDieSnakeCarto.jpg• http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTGw8o2wBVZ3qmf4YzE47lsM4svlfUruSLQYMd7zyjV1si38Dj7&t=1• http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTUQFzhuAu55JNjfoCZsLiQTu6OG49HUMgmTCAeqlQ7YkrqB_BT&t=

1• http://students.historygeek.org/Unit2/articles%20of%20confederation.jpg• http://www.dfcorp.com/xSites/Mortgage/DiamondFundingCorporation/Content/UploadedFiles/600px-No_sign2.s

vg.png• http://www.cosimobooks.com/integration/website/bookstore_a/imagens/img_book/1261_3.jpg• http://covers.openlibrary.org/w/id/5750232-L.jpg• http://www.btinternet.com/~glynhughes/squashed/rousseau.jpg• http://historical-fiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/magna-carta-at-the-national-archives.jpg• http://www.regentsprep.org/regents/ushisgov/themes/government/check_header.gif• http://www.opensecrets.org/news/vote%20button.jpeg• http://www.mortalwombat.com/Special/Statue_of_Limitations.jpg• http://revereslist.com/web_images/american_flag_and_constitution-istock_000005179418medium.jpg• http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l8ZBsSeLPxk/TDHn06AzRkI/AAAAAAAADUk/mOFqmoU171U/s1600/we_the_people_ba

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