### EVENTS LEADING TO THE WRITING OF THE CONSTITUTION
- **Struggle Between the Colonies and Britain**: Tensions arose as Britain imposed heavy taxes and restrictive laws, while the colonists felt increasingly marginalized.
- **Relationship between Colonists and King/British Government**: The relationship soured over issues like taxation, representation, and control, especially after the French and Indian War.
- **Actions by King/British Government Towards Colonists**: Imposed taxes (e.g., Stamp Act, Tea Act), the Intolerable Acts, and quartering British troops.
- **Actions by Colonists Towards King/British Government**: Protested through boycotts, organized the Boston Tea Party, and formed militias.
- **King George III**: The monarch of Britain during the American Revolution, seen as a tyrant by the colonists.
- **Taxation without Representation**: A rallying cry for the colonists, arguing that they shouldn't be taxed by a government in which they had no political representation.
- **First Continental Congress**: A 1774 meeting where delegates from 12 colonies met to respond to British policies, leading to boycotts and military preparations.
- **Declaration of Independence**: Written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, it declared the colonies’ separation from Britain. It was adopted in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776.
- **Common Sense by Thomas Paine**: A 1776 pamphlet that argued for independence from Britain, greatly influencing public opinion.
- **Second Continental Congress**: Met in 1775 to manage the war effort and eventually declare independence.
- **US Constitution**: The framework for the U.S. government, establishing three branches and the system of federalism.
- **Bill of Rights**: The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, protecting individual freedoms.
- **Articles of Confederation**: The first constitution of the U.S., which created a weak central government.
- **How Constitution is Different from Articles**: The Constitution established a stronger federal government, with executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
- **Constitutional Convention**: Held in 1787 to draft the Constitution.
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### STRUCTURE OF THE CONSTITUTION
- **Preamble to the Constitution**: The introduction that outlines the purpose of the Constitution.
- **Seven Articles of the Constitution**:
1. **Legislative Branch**: Establishes Congress, its powers, and the legislative process.
2. **Executive Branch**: Defines the presidency, powers, duties, and impeachment.
3. **Judicial Branch**: Establishes the Supreme Court and lower courts, and their powers.
4. **States' Relations**: Addresses the rights and powers of states and their interaction with the federal government.
5. **Amendment Process**: Explains how the Constitution can be amended.
6. **Supremacy Clause**: Declares the Constitution the "supreme law of the land."
7. **Ratification**: Details the process for ratifying the Constitution.
- **27 Amendments**: The changes and additions made to the Constitution over time, including the Bill of Rights.
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### SIX BASIC PRINCIPLES
- **Limited Government**: The government has only the powers that the Constitution gives it.
- **Rule of Law**: Everyone, including government officials, must follow the law.
- **Federalism**: The division of power between the national and state governments.
- **Supremacy Clause**: The Constitution and federal laws take precedence over state laws.
- **Popular Sovereignty**: The people are the ultimate source of governmental authority.
- **Separation of Powers**: The division of government into three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial.
- **Judicial Review**: The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional (established in *Marbury v. Madison*).
- **Checks and Balances**: Each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches.
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### FORMALLY AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION
- **Proposing Amendments**: Can be done by a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress or a national convention.
- **Ratifying Amendments**: Requires approval by three-fourths of the state legislatures or conventions.
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### INFORMALLY AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION
- **Laws Passed by Congress**: Congress can pass laws that shape the way the Constitution is applied.
- **Actions by the President**: Executive actions and orders can effectively amend how the government functions.
- **Decisions of the Supreme Court**: Court rulings interpret the Constitution and can lead to significant changes in law.
- **Influence of Political Parties**: Parties affect how the Constitution is applied, even though they aren’t mentioned in the Constitution.
- **Customs/Traditions**: Long-standing practices (e.g., the President serving only two terms before the 22nd Amendment) can informally amend the Constitution.
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