The Constitution
The constitution was made in 1787. As of now it is the oldest Constitution in use. It is the supreme law of the United States.
How it started.
From May to September 1787 a group of men known as the Framers met. The Framers talked about what should be in the Constitution. The United States was a brand new country. The United States had a government that did not work very well. The Framers met to find a new way of running the country. This meeting is called The Convention. Some of the Framers are famous to us today. They include James Madison, Ben Franklin, and George Washington.
After the Constitution, only nine states had to agree to, or ratify, the Constitution. But everyone wanted all 13 states to agree. Two states took a long time to decide to agree. These states were Rhode Island and North Carolina. In the end, they did agree. Once the first nine states agreed, we say the Constitution was "ratified." New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify.
After the Constitution, only nine states had to agree to, or ratify, the Constitution. But everyone wanted all 13 states to agree. Two states took a long time to decide to agree. These states were Rhode Island and North Carolina. In the end, they did agree. Once the first nine states agreed, we say the Constitution was "ratified." New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify.
Amendments
When the constitution was written the Framers knew it was not perfect. They wanted to make sure that it was not to hard to change. They also didn't want it to be to easy. So the Framers added a Amendment process. At first some people didn't want to go with the constituiton. A big reason was because it didn't have the Bill Of Rights. So the Framers promised to add one, using the amendment process.
Some amendments where:
Slavery: People in the north wanted to end slavery but the people in the south were afraid of losing slavery. When Lincoln was elected the south got very mad because Lincoln was against slavery. So the southern people decided to break away from the United States and make their own country. Which lead to Civil War. The USA won the war which ended slavery. So all the slaves, even past slaves, were free. This amendment made sure that slaves were free.
Another one was:
Women: Most of the time it was men who formed the country. It's not because women could not help or they were not allowed to, instead men had power over them. Men were presidents and mayors and so on. Most women just stayed at home. Women where really upset about not being able to vote. Most women wanted vote because they wanted their say about how they feel. This all changed when the 19th Amendment was passed. Stating that all women could vote in all elections. Today women are equal as men and are allowed to do anything that a man can do. Still today there hasn't been a woman president but it won't be long before we get one.
Some amendments where:
Slavery: People in the north wanted to end slavery but the people in the south were afraid of losing slavery. When Lincoln was elected the south got very mad because Lincoln was against slavery. So the southern people decided to break away from the United States and make their own country. Which lead to Civil War. The USA won the war which ended slavery. So all the slaves, even past slaves, were free. This amendment made sure that slaves were free.
Another one was:
Women: Most of the time it was men who formed the country. It's not because women could not help or they were not allowed to, instead men had power over them. Men were presidents and mayors and so on. Most women just stayed at home. Women where really upset about not being able to vote. Most women wanted vote because they wanted their say about how they feel. This all changed when the 19th Amendment was passed. Stating that all women could vote in all elections. Today women are equal as men and are allowed to do anything that a man can do. Still today there hasn't been a woman president but it won't be long before we get one.