The idea to make a new constitution stemmed from a number of issues that came before it such as the failed Articles of Conferderation, a need to create a blueprint for the government, to create a stronger federal government, and to protect individual rights. The basis for the constituion is derived from a number of historical influences:

-The idea of democracy from Ancient Greece.

-The idea of a republic where power is held by the people from Ancient Rome.

-Ideas such as reason over faith, government protecting the natural rights of the people, and three branches of government from The Enlighentenment.

Constitutional Convention:

-Delegates met to discuss the articles of confederation but ended up making a new constitution instead.

-They had to compromise on major issues such as how states will be repersented leading to the Great Compromise.

-How trade will be regulated leading to the Commerce Compromise.

-How slaves should be repersented leading to the 3/5th compromise.

-The elastic clause which gave the government the right to express implied powers.

-How should we elect our president which lead to the electoral college system.

Consitutional Principles:

-Popular Sovereignty: Power is given to the government by the people.

-Limited Government: Restricting the governments power, only allowing them to do certain things and giving the rest of the power to the states or people.

-Federalism: Division of power between the Federal and State Government where the Federal government has stronger rule than the states, stronger central government. Different powers include delegated powers, powers given to the federal governments. Reserved powers, powers reserved by the states and conccurent powers, powers shared by the states and ferderal government.

-Seperation of Powers: There are three branches of government, legislative, executive, and judicial. Each branch of government has different powers and there is a system of checks and balances to ensure no part of the government is too powerful.

Preamble:

-The introduction the the constitution, explaining the principles and purpose of it.

Articles:

-Article 1: Created two houses of congress and described the powers of congress.

-Article 2: Established the executive branch lead by the president who is elected by the electoral college.

-Article 3: Established the judicial branch, containing the supreme court, the highest court in the US. Its main job being to do judicial review.

-Article 4: Outlines the relationship between the states and the federal government.

-Article 5: Establishes the process for amending the Constitution. Amendments can be proposed by either a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress or by a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of state legislatures.

-Article 6: Declares the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties as the "supreme law of the land." It also requires that all officials, whether in state or federal governments, take an oath to support the Constitution.

-Article 7: Specifies the process for ratification of the Constitution. It states that the Constitution would take effect once nine states ratified it.

Amendments:

1st Amendment: Guarantees freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the government.

2nd Amendment: Protects the right to keep and bear arms.

3rd Amendment: Prevents the government from forcing people to house soldiers in their homes during peacetime.

4th Amendment: Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. The government needs a warrant to search your property.

5th Amendment: : Ensures due process, protects against double jeopardy.

6th Amendment: Guarantees a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury, the right to a lawyer, and the right to confront witnesses.

7th Amendment: Provides the right to a jury trial in civil cases.

8th Amendment: Protects against excessive bail, fines, and cruel or unusual punishment.

9th Amendment: States that people have other rights not listed in the Constitution.

10th Amendment: Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

11th Amendment: Limits lawsuits against states by people from other states or countries.

12th Amendment: Changes the way the president and vice president are elected, making them run as a team.

13th Amendment: Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.

14th Amendment: Grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. and guarantees equal protection under the law.

15th Amendment: Prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

16th Amendment: Allows Congress to levy an income tax.

17th Amendment: Establishes the direct election of U.S. senators by popular vote.

18th Amendment: Prohibits the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol.

19th Amendment: Grants women the right to vote.

20th Amendment: Changes the dates for the start of presidential and congressional terms.

21th Amendment: Repeals the 18th Amendment, ending Prohibition.

22nd Amendment: Limits the president to two terms in office.

23rd Amendment: Gives residents of Washington D.C., the right to vote in presidential elections.

24th Amendment: Prohibits poll taxes in federal elections.

25th Amendment: Clarifies presidential succession and procedures for dealing with presidential disability.

26th Amendment: Lowers the voting age to 18.

27th Amendment: Prevents changes to congressional salaries from taking effect until the next term.