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| Respected and known by all; elected to be chairman of the convention; ran all of the meetings; relied on others to let his opinions be known |
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| Attended all meetings and took careful notes; most knowledgeable delegate on politics and government and suggested many principles in the document today; known as the 'father of the constitution' |
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| Elegant speaker and debater; finished the final wording of the document and wrote the Preamble |
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| Elderly statesman, most respected; Peacemaker of the convention, being able to help work out comprimises and settle disputes |
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| Close friend of Washington; favored a much stronger central government than created |
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| *DID NOT ATTEND THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION* because: he was a Minister in France |
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| *DID NOT ATTEND THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION* because: he was a Minister in Great Britain |
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| *DID NOT ATTEND THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION* because: he was suspicious of the proceedings and was against a stronger federal government |
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| The opening sentance of the Constitution. It promostes the principles of popular sovereignty and individual rights. It states the seven main goals or purposes for the government created by the framers. |
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| Preamble goal: To form a more perfect union |
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| Promote ways for the states to be more united; to give more strength to the central government |
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| Preamble goal: to establish justice |
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| Create a government that believes in the rule of law; fairness for all citizens under law; means to settle disputes legally |
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| Preamble goal: Ensure domestic tranquillity |
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| Help maintain peace within the borders of our nation |
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| Preamble goal: Provide for the common defense |
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| To be able to defend and protect citizens militarily from outside of tax and dangers |
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| Preamble goal: Promote the general welfare |
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| To provide for the wellbeing of its citizens and general standard of life |
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| Preamble goal: Secure the blessings of liberty |
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| To garuntee certain rights of freedoms for all citizens |
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| Seven principles of the constitution |
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| Seven main concepts or ideas up which this outline, of 'plan', our government was developed |
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| Constitution principle: federalism |
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A concept where the power of government is divided and shared between the national government and the state governments
EXAMPLE: STATES make laws about marriage and education; NATIONAL GOVERNMENT makes laws about the millitary and money; BOTH levels of government tax |
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| Constitution principle: Limited Government |
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| No one is above the law and limits are set in structure of the power of government. EXAMPLES: Bill of Rights; Impeachment; Checks and Ballances |
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| Constitution principle: Republicanism |
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The creation of a government where the people help select the people who run the government
EXAMPLE: Voting; representative government; political parties |
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| Constitution principle: Popular Sovereignty |
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People have the final authority in government
EXAMPLES: Voting and civic participation |
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| Constitution principle: Seperation of Powers |
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National government is divided among three branches, each with a distinct responcibility.
EXAMPLES:
Executive, Judicial, and the Legeslative branches; Legelative branch makes the laws; Executive branch carries out the laws; Judicial interprets/explains the laws at the highest level; congress, president, and advisors, federal courts including the supreme court |
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| Constitution principle: Checks and balances |
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each branch of government has the power to be a 'watchdog' over anothe branch in some areas to stop abuse of power.
EXAMPLE: President has the power of appointment, but the senate must ultimately approve. Congress has the power to make laws, but the supreme court can overturn a law if found to be unconstitutional. The federal courts give out punishments but the president has the power of pardon, or reprieve. Congress makes the laws, but the president has the power of veto. |
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| Constitution principle: Individual Rights |
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| Freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights (not in the original constitution; ammendments). (SEE BILL OF RIGHTS) |
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