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UNITING THE STATES
The Constitution established the federal
government and divided its powers among
three branches: the executive branch
(represented by the president), the legislative
branch (Senate and House of Representatives),
and the judicial branch (Supreme Court and
federal courts). A system of “checks and
balances” was written into the Constitution,
giving each branch the opportunity to overrule
the others. The Supreme Court has the final
say in interpreting the Constitution.AMENDMENTS
At first, several states refused to sign the
Constitution. They feared that the newly
strengthened federal government would take
power from the states and the people. As a
compromise, the Constitution was amended in
- The first 10 amendments are called the
Bill of Rights, and guarantee personal freedoms.
Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, George Washington,
and other delegates sign the Constitution in 1787.Sixth Guarantees the right
to a speedy public trial.
Seventh Trial by jury.
Eighth Prohibits cruel
and unusual punishment.
Ninth Rights not defined
may still be protected.
Tenth Powers not given to
the federal government rest
with the states and people.First Guarantees freedom
of worship, freedom of the
press, and the right to protest.
Second Right to bear arms.
Third Soldiers cannot be
housed in private homes.
Fourth Right to be free
from unreasonable seizure.
Fifth Protection from
testifying against oneself.BILL OF RIGHTSTHE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION
Known as the framers of the Constitution, the 55 delegates to
the Constitutional Convention represented 12 of the 13 states.
Famously described as well-bred, well-read, well-fed, and well-
wed, about half were lawyers, half college graduates, and
many owned slaves. The oldest and most famous
delegate, 81-year-old Pennsylvania statesman
Benjamin Franklin (right), was so frail that he had
to be carried to the meetings in a sedan chair, but
his wealth of experience proved vital to the
creation of the new government.WE THE PEOPLE?
The first Constitution was written for the
people, by the people—except women,
slaves, Native Americans, and those
too poor to own land. Slaves, such
as poet Phillis Wheatley (left), were
denied rights and protection. But its
provision for amendments allowed
the Constitution to be improved.Suffragettes use the
right to protest in 1913.IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR (1775-81), the 13 American states
worked together to win independence from British rule. However, after the war,
each state made its own laws, printed its own money, and collected its own taxes.
In May 1787, a convention met in Philadelphia to draw up a document to
create a single strong nation from 13 very different states. The delegates
worked to find a compromise between state and federal powers, and to
guarantee individual freedom under a strong national government. This
new plan, the Constitution of the United States, established the basic laws
of the country. It set forth the framework of the federal government, and
spelled out the rights of the people. Perhaps most importantly, the
Constitution allowed room for improvement, by amendment.Constitution
American revolution
Civil rights
Franklin, benjaminFind out more
Cook, James
Virginian James Madison was a strong
negotiator who was called the “Father
of the Constitution” because of his
important work on the document.