Principles and Documents of Government 5.1.9.D.E

• Discuss the drafting of the U.S Constitution• Describe/Identify the parts of the Constitution

and how it protects the people • Compare the Constitution to today’s Society• Analyze the foundations of our Government

Separation of Powers“Checks and Balances”

A. Legislative– Congress would make

the laws

B. Executive– Carry out the laws

C. Judiciary -- Interpret the law

We win the __________ Revolution.

We gain Independence from _________.

We implement the ____________ of Independence.

We create the Articles of____________.

*The Articles are WEAK so we needed a stronger Central Government.

The Constitution

• Highest law in the land• Limits the power of the

government. Each branch has their own powers, No government is all-powerful

• Government may only do things that the people have given it power to do

• Population when it was written was 4 millions citizens, now 309 million

State # of Delegates that attended

Connecticut 3Delaware 5Georgia 4Maryland 5Massachusetts 4New Hampshire 2New Jersey 5New York 3North Carolina 5Pennsylvania 8South Carolina 4Virginia 7Rhode Island 0

The Convention• Held in Philadelphia

(Present Day Independence Hall)

• Vowed to keep everything a secret

• VERY HOT and windows remained closed

• _______ delegates attended and 12 states. ______ ______ did not attend.

Did you know?

THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION:

**ORGANIZATION OF THE CONSTITUTION**The United States Constitution is organized into 3 sections.

1. Preamble: Introduction to the Constitution.

-States the goals of the national government.

2. Articles: Organizes the national government.

-7 articles which organize and guide the national government.

3. Amendments: Changes to the US Constitution.

-Changes that either add to or take away from the original wording of the articles in the Constitution.

-Currently, 27 amendments have been made.

Constitution Fact

• George Washington was the first president to be in office and enforce the Constitution

• John Adams was his vice president.

• Constitution was penned by a Clerk for $30 (today's money it would be $726)

PREAMBLE: Introduction to the Constitution that establishes the major goals of the Constitution.

1. In order to form a more perfect union. (Promote unity among states)

2. Establish justice. (Court system to administer justice)

3. Insure domestic tranquility. (Create peace in the states)

4. Provide for the common defense. (Military to protect nation)

5. Promote the general welfare. (Do things to help/protect people)

6. Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. (Ensure that we have freedom for ourselves and future Americans)

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THE AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION: -The Founding Fathers knew that society would change over time and that the Constitution would need to change to reflect changes in society. They provided a way to change the Constitution. This process is called the Amendment Process.

AMENDMENT: A change to the original Constitution.

-Due to this flexibility and ability to change, the Constitution is known as a LIVING DOCUMENT because it can be changed.

-Very difficult process: In over 200 years, there have been over 12,000 proposals to amend the Constitution. Only 27 have been accepted. The first 10 were passed in 1791 and are known as the Bill of Rights.

BILL OF RIGHTS- Protects the people against abuse by the federal government.

Why do you think they were passed so quickly by Congress?

1. Freedom of religion, speech, and the press

2. The right to bear arms

3. Congress CAN NOT force citizens to keep troops in their homes

4. Protects citizens from unreasonable search and seizure of their property

5. Protects the rights of the accused, no self-incrimination, right to due process

Amendments

Constitution Fact

• Amendment # 22

• A president can serve up to 2 terms which is how many years?

• In addition they can serve ½ of one presidential term while vice president.

• ALTOGETHER they can serve how many years?

What would you change about the Constitution?

Do you feel it is as relevant today as it was when it was written?

What Did We Learn?

• CONSTITUION QUIZ

• You are going to create your own constitution with pictures.

• Can be done in Word or with paper and magazine clippings.

REQUIREMENTS• 1. Choose 10 different Constitutional Amendments• 2. Provide a picture of what each amendment looks

like• 3. The title should be: The Constitution Today• 4. On the back or on a second page in Word, explain

what amendment is being represented by each picture• 5. You may use newspaper clippings, magazine

clippings, or even draw if you would like