The United States Constitution

Melinda Roberts

U.S. ConstitutionCompelling questions about what really

went on with the US Constitution strike all of us every one in awhile. So really, what is the constitution? What is it really all about? How did it have such a huge impact on our country and how did it even come into effect? Revealed in the next slides, are the answers to all of your lifelong questions.

When?The United States Constitution was written in 1787.

However, the Constitution didn’t take effect until 1789.

Created by…The Constitution was created by the Second Continental Congress.

But was mostly written and created by James Madison.

And why exactly…?The Constitution was created because of demand for a stronger, more effective national government. People such as large property owners, merchants, traders and other creditors took the lead in efforts for a stronger government.

The movement for this change began to take shape in 1785.Basically, the Articles had created a government that was unable to deal with the nation’s growing troubles.

Events Leading To…

Leading up to the creation of the Constitution was the Articles creating their own form of government which failed, and the growing need for a stronger, more stable government.

Maryland and Virginia started a conference to initiate change which was the beginning of what we know today as the United States Constitution.

Written Where…?The United States Constitution was written in the Philadelphia State House.

It was not written in Delaware as some people have been led to think.

Modeled After?o The Mayflower Compact – In this document, the pilgrims made a compact to come together and to preserve order, just as was stated in the Constitution. o The Magna Carta – The Magna Carta was the first document to enact something that resembled checks and balances within the government to keep one person or branch from having too much power.o The English Bill of Rights – This document stated such things as free voting, prohibiting a standing army in peacetime, the right to a free trial, and freedom from excessive bail and from cruel and unusual punishment. o The Articles of Confederation – This was the first set of rules that was made in the United States.

Problems SolvedThe Constitution solved problems such as o One person having too much power (checks and balances)o Rights of the citizensoBranches of the Governmento Constituting what kind of government would rule our country.

Improvements?I would improve the United States Constitution by : o Adding more laws to the Constitution than just Treasono Ratifying more amendments that protect the rights of more Americanso Outlining what happens in the event of amendments being violated.

Relevance? I don’t believe that the Constitution is as relevant today as it was when it was created because there are other documents put into place today, such as the Bill of Rights, that more clearly outline the rights of people in the United States. I still believe that the Constitution has its purpose, but I also believe that it is very outdated according to current law and it will eventually be replaced by something new, if not soon then hundreds of years from now, just as the Mayflower Compact and such were replaced.

Works Cited o"Answers.com - Who Created the US Constitution." WikiAnswers - The Q&A Wiki. Web. 20 Sept. 2010. <http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_created_the_US_Constitution>.

o"Picture History : Four Leaders of the Second Continental Congress." Picture History : License Historical Photos; Photographs for Sale; Lincoln and War; American Archives. Web. 20 Sept. 2010. <http://www.picturehistory.com/product/id/829>.

o"Discover Baltimore | Baltimore History." Discover Baltimore | Baltimore Tourism, Neighborhoods, Culture, Local Events, History, and Entertainment. Web. 20 Sept. 2010. http://www.baltimore-maryland.org/history/baltimore-history.html

o McClenaghan, William A., and Frank Abbott Magruder. "Origins of American Government." Magruder's American Government. Needham, MA: Prentice Hall, 2003. 44-55. Print.