9781422284155

People realized that in order to function effectively as a country, the Articles of Con- federation would have to be revised. In 1787, Alexander Hamilton organized a national convention, and delegates came to Philadelphia fromall the states except Rhode Island. The people of Rhode Island did not want a strong national government that might interfere in their affairs. People who felt this way were known as antifederalists. The federalists, on the other hand, wanted a country with a strong central government. When the delegates began to discuss what to add to the Articles of Confederation, they soon realized that what was needed was a completely new document—the Con- stitution. The Constitution created a federal system of government in which some of the power rests with the national government and some powers stay with the state governments. The Constitution thus enabled the states to work with each other while still protecting their rights and independence. To achieve this balance among national government, state governments, and indi- viduals, the Constitution outlined a new kind of government based on a separation of powers and a system of checks and balances. The power of the government was divided into three parts: the executive branch, which is led by the president and enforces the laws; the legislative branch, which makes laws in the Congress; and the judicial branch, which interprets the laws through the courts. As a result, none of these three branches can ever gain the upper hand over the other two.

The Assembly Room, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, held many monumental moments in American history, including the signing of the Constitution. The room is open to visitors each day during museum hours.

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THE U.S. JUSTICE SYSTEM