Early United States

The original constitution of the United States that favored a weak central government

• The Articles of America

• The Articles of Confederation

• The Declaration of Independence

• The Confederation Papers

Person who is known as the "Father of the Constitution"

• James Madison

• George Washington

• Benjamin Franklin

• Alexander Hamilton

The process by which each branch of government looks out for and checks the other two branches.

• Separation of Powers

• Policing

• Checks and Balances

• Checks and Arrangements

The branch of government that makes the laws

• Legislative Branch

• Executive Branch

• Judicial Branch

The branch of government that carries out the laws

• Legislative Branch

• Executive Branch

• Judicial Branch

The branch of government that interprets or defines the laws

• Legislative Branch

• Executive Branch

• Judicial Branch

Why are the powers of the branches of government separated?

• So no one branch gets too powerful

• So the president is more powerful

• To make the people less powerful

• So every branch has a say

Group that supported the Constitution and strong national government

• Federalists

• Anti-Federalists

• Democrats

• Republicans

Group that opposed a strong national government

• Federalists

• Anti-Federalists

• Democrats

• Republicans

10 Amendments added to the Constitution in 1791

• Declaration of Independence

• Bill of Rights

• Bill of Independence

• Constitution