The

Constitution

of the United

States

This is the Preamble (or introduction) of

the Constitution.

This is the actual Constitution of the

United States.

The Constitution was written in 1787 by 55 men we call the Framers of the Constitution.

These men included George Washington and Ben Franklin.

What is the Constitution?

The Constitution says how the government works. It creates the President. It creates the Congress. It creates the Supreme Court.

The government is split into three parts or branches.

1. One branch is the Congress. The Congress makes laws. The people elect the members of Congress.

2. The next branch is the President. The President enforces the laws.

3. The last branch is the Courts. The courts decide what the law means when there are questions.

All of the parts have to work together. Just like the Framers agreed on the Constitution, the parts have to agree on the laws. No part has too much power. The power is shared. This helps protect the people.

The Constitution sets up the government.

How it all works

Checks and Balances

Why Have Checks and Balances?

The Constitution lists our rights and

freedoms as citizens of the United States.

The law is the set of rules that we live by. The Constitution is the highest law.

It belongs to the United States. It belongs to all Americans.

The Constitution, which is over 200 years old,

can be seen in Washington, D.C.

The Bill of Rights

• The Bill of Rights is the first Ten Amendments to the Constitution.

• These are our most basic Freedoms and Rights

First Amendment

No National Religion

Freedoms of: religion

speech

Press

Assembly

And Petition

Second Amendment

Right to: bear arms form a militia

Third Amendment

Government can’t force you to house troops in your home.

Fourth Amendment

Protection from unreasonable search and seizure.

Fifth Amendment

Due Process and Right to a Fair Trial

Protection from Double Jeopardy

Can’t be made to testify against yourself

Eminent DomainIf the Government takes your land for the public use, they pay a fair price

Sixth Amendment

Guarantees: Trial by jury The right to confront your accusersSpeedy Public TrialRight to counsel

Seventh Amendment

Civil Trial by Jury

Eighth Amendment

Protection from Excessive bails Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Ninth Amendment

Protection of rights not mentioned in the Constitution

Tenth Amendment

Powers not given to the government or denied to the states are given to the States or to the people.