The Constitution and the Bill of Rights

They wanted to form a new government that was a republic.

A republic is a kind of government in which the citizens vote and help decide what happens in the nation.

The Constitution tells exactly what each branch of government is allowed and not allowed to do.

Some members who signed were Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton.

Some states ratified the Constitution. To ratify means to approve.

Some states had problems with it and wanted changes made. Because of this, Amendments were made. An amendment is something that has been added.

The Bill of Rights is the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution.