The Constitution of the United States of America

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The Constitution of the United States of America

• Created by Samantha Young

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1776

• The Declaration of Independence was signed on
  July 4, 1776.
• In this document the United States declared its
  freedom from England.
• Every year Americans celebrate Independence Day.

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1781 The Articles of Confederation

• This plan was our first form of government.
• Congress made the laws, approved the laws, and
  acted as a court to settle disagreements between
  states.
• It didnt work well for several reasons.
• They didnt have the power to make laws about
  trade or taxes.
• They did have the authority to print money, but
  they printed too much and caused inflation.
• They didnt have the power to defend national
  property.

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1787The Constitution of the United States

• The Constitutional Convention was held in
  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania because changes were
  needed to the Articles of Confederation.
• Through many debates and compromises our
  Constitution was born.
• Under the Constitution some powers are given to
  the national government, some are given to the
  states, and others are shared.

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Checks and Balances

• Under the Constitution our government is divided
  into three branches.
• Legislative branch which makes laws.
• Executive branch which carries out laws.
• Judicial branch which settles differences about
  the meaning of laws.
• This balance of power enables us to have a strong
  national government which represents us, the
  people of the United States.