What’s so amazing about the U.S. Constitution?
DID YOU KNOW?The U.S. Constitution has 4,400 words. It is the oldest and shortest written Constitution of any major government in the world.“
When the U.S. Constitution was written there were 4 million people in the U.S. Today there are 307 million.
The first time the formal term “The United States of America” was used was in the Declaration of Independence.
“The people” are the government –
“popular sovereignty”
“The people” choose their leadersRegular elections give people a chance to
speak out
We have a Federal System: Powers are shared between state and national
A federal system divides power
The federal (national) government has delegated power
The states have reserved power
Concurrent power describes the duties they share
Limited government was valued by the “Founding
Fathers”
“That government is best which governs least.”
Henry David Thoreau
Three separate branches
That check and balance each other
The Constitution is amendable
The constitution has been amended 27 times
Amendments can be repealedIt is difficult to amend
Our first Amendment is admired around the world –
Why?
It’s enduringBeen in place for over 220 years
It’s the longest lasting constitution in the world
SO WHY IS OUR CONSTITUTION SO AMAZING?The people ARE the
governmentThe people choose
their leadersPower is shared
between the state and federal government
Power is divided between 3 Branches of government
It is amendableIt is enduringOur first
amendment is admired around the world.
PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION
We the people of the United States, 1.in Order to form a more perfect Union,2.establish Justice,3.insure domestic Tranquility,4.provide for the common defense,5.promote the general Welfare, 6.and secure the Blessings of Liberty to
ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the
United Statesof America.
“FREEZE FRAME”SMALL GROUP DIRECTIONS
Discuss together: what does this phrase mean?
Together, plan a “freeze frame” skit to show this phrase in the real world
THE END