Changes

The Constitution was written through the use of the following committees, which illustrates how to organize a large group of people in order to accomplish a good result:<ref>http://www.usconstitution.net/constcmte.html</ref>

The Constitution was written through the use of the following committees, which illustrates how to organize a large group of people in order to accomplish a good result:<ref>http://www.usconstitution.net/constcmte.html</ref>

: Rules Committee, appointed May 25 in order to set rules for the convention, including Alexander Hamilton and Charles Pinkney

: Rules Committee, appointed on May 25, 1787, in order to set rules for the convention, including Alexander Hamilton and Charles Pinkney

: First Committee of Eleven (delegates), appointed July 2 in order to resolve the issue of equal representation in the Senate, including George Mason and William Paterson

: First Committee of Eleven (delegates), appointed on July 2 in order to resolve the issue of equal representation in the Senate, including George Mason and William Paterson

: Committee of Detail, appointed July 24 in order to draft the Constitution on terms agreed to by the Convention, including Edmund Randolph and James Wilson

: Committee of Detail, appointed on July 24 in order to draft the Constitution on terms agreed to by the Convention, including Edmund Randolph and James Wilson

: Second Committee of Eleven, appointed August 25 in order to consider issues of uniform duties and fees, including George Mason and Roger Sherman

: Second Committee of Eleven, appointed on August 25 in order to consider issues of uniform duties and fees, including George Mason and Roger Sherman

: Third Committee of Eleven, appointed August 31 in order to address "tabled" and unresolved issues, including James Madison and Roger Sherman

: Third Committee of Eleven, appointed on August 31 in order to address "tabled" and unresolved issues, including James Madison and Roger Sherman

: Committee of Style and Arrangement, appointed September 8 in order to revise the style and arrangement of the Constitution, including Alexander Hamilton and James Madison

: Committee of Style and Arrangement, appointed on September 8 in order to revise the style and arrangement of the Constitution, including Alexander Hamilton and James Madison

After all the compromises and hard work of the committees, most (but not all) of the delegates at the Convention agreed to the final version of the Constitution; 39 (out of the original 55) signed it on Sept. 17, 1787 (now honored as "Constitution Day").  Next it was sent to the states for ratification, and then the "fun" began.  There was bitter opposition by the Anti-Federalists who did not like the idea of a powerful new central government.

After all the compromises and hard work of the committees, most (but not all) of the delegates at the Convention agreed to the final version of the Constitution; 39 (out of the original 55) signed it on Sept. 17, 1787 (now honored annually as "Constitution Day").  Next it was sent to the states for ratification, and then the "fun" began.  There was bitter opposition by the Anti-Federalists who did not like the idea of a powerful new central government.  Powerful Founders were among the anti-Federalists: Samuel Adams, George Mason, Patrick Henry, and even, to a lesser extent, Thomas Jefferson.  

At the time, nearly every country in the world was a monarchy.  The new American government was the first of its kind.   

At the time, nearly every country in the world was a monarchy.  The new American government was the first of its kind.   

The Constitution divides government into three separate branches that check and balance each other.  If one branch grabs too much power, then the other two can work to stop it.   

The Constitution divides government into three separate branches that check and balance each other.  If one branch grabs too much power, then the other two can work to stop it.   

The Articles of the Constitution are as follows:

The Articles of the new Constitution, as developed at the Constitutional Convention, are as follows:

:Congress (the legislative branch) is established in Article I of the Constitution.  The Executive Branch (led by the President) carries out the laws as provided in Article II.  The Judicial Branch (including the Supreme Court), established in Article III, interprets the laws.

:Congress (the legislative branch) is established in Article I of the Constitution.  The Executive Branch (led by the President) carries out the laws as provided in Article II.  The Judicial Branch (including the Supreme Court), established in Article III, interprets the laws.