The Structure of the Constitution Essential Terms

U.S. ConstitutionPreamble7 ArticlesAmendmentsBill of Rights

Essential QuestionsHow did the Constitution

improve the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

How is Constitution structured and what is each part’s purpose?

The U.S. Constitution constitution – the written plan for government

the “supreme law of the land” or basic law of the land

Every country/nation has their own version of a Constitution…or plan for their government.

Each state in our nation has their own Constitution for their state.

The U.S. Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation during the Constitutional Convention.

A.o.C. v. U.S.C.Articles of Confederation

United States Constitution

No presidentNo power to collect taxesUnicameral CongressNo court systemtoo difficult to pass laws

too much power to the states

TOO WEAK

President Congress has the power to

collect taxesBicameral Congress federal court system

(districts, appellate, & supreme)

law making process = simple majority

centralized the government and created a system to balance the power between the states and the national government

Part 1 - PreambleIntroduction to the Constitution

Lists the goals of the Constitution

Three Parts of the Constitution 1. The Preamble – the introduction

2. The 7 articles – organizes the details of the government

3. The amendments – the changes to the constitution including the 1st ten changes = the Bill of

Rights

Preamble: A.o.C. v. U.S.C.Articles of Confederation

PreambleUnited States Constitution Preamble

To all to whom these Presents shall come, we the undersigned Delegates of the States affixed to our Names send greeting.

Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts-bay Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

The U.S. Constitution constitution – the written plan for

governmentthe “supreme law of the land” or basic law of

the land

Since each state needs a government to run it…each state has their own STATE constitution.Very similar set up to the U.S. Constitution

Obviously not as powerful…

U.S.C. The U.S. Constitution’s Preamble We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Part 1 - PreambleIntroduction to the Constitution

Lists the goals of the Constitution

Goals of The Preamble We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more

perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

The SIX goals of the Constitution:

1. “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. “secure the blessings of liberty”

Introduction to the Constitution

Lists the goals of the Constitution

“to form a more perfect union”

What are examples of the government showing this goal in

action?

“establish justice”

What are examples of the government showing this goal in

action?

“insure domestic tranquility”

What are examples of the government showing this goal in

action?

“provide for the common defense”

What are examples of the government showing this goal in

action?

“promote the general welfare”

What are examples of the government showing this goal in

action?

“secure the blessings of liberty”

What are examples of the government showing this goal in action?

The Structure of the Constitution Essential Terms

U.S. ConstitutionPreamble7 ArticlesAmendmentsBill of Rights

Essential QuestionsHow did the Constitution

improve the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

How is Constitution structured and what is each part’s purpose?

The ArticlesEssential Terms

Article 1CongressArticle 2 PresidentArticle 3 Supreme CourtFederalism Amendment ProcessSupremacy Clause Ratification

Essential QuestionsHow is the separation of

powers shown in the U.S. Constitution?

How did the amendment process and federalism solve the disputes between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists?

Article IStructure, power, & responsibilities of the

Legislative Branch — Congress

Main Job - Makes laws

Lists powers the national gov. has

Something to think about…Isn’t PRO the opposite

of CON?And…

Progress – to advance, to move forward, to make better

Why did they choose the name congress?

Marinate on that!!!How many combinations of 13 can you find on our nation’s seal??

Article IIStructure, power, and resp. of Executive

Branch—the president

Main Job - Enforces laws

Powers of the Pres.

Sets up Electoral College and Presidential elections

Something to think about…Presidential Trivia

Shortest –Madison 5’4” Tallest – Abe 6’$” Heaviest – Taft 300+ lbs Oldest – Reagan 69 Youngest – Teddy 42 Assassinated – 4 Attempted Assassinations – 6 Virginia is the birthplace of the most

Presidents – 8 1906 Teddy was the first to travel

internationally Nixon – first to visit all 50 states 2 father son combos have been

President (the Adams and the Bushes) Gerald Ford was only President who

was not elected by the people as Pres or V.P.

3 Presidents have been impeached – Jackson, Nixon, and Clinton

DOES ANY OF THIS REALLY MATTER?

How many combinations of 13 can you find on our nation’s seal??

Article IIIStructure, power, resp. of Judicial Branch

Main Job - Interprets laws

Sets up the US Supreme Court and any other federal courts Congress wants to create

Something to think about…

Justice Clarence Thomas has not

asked a question or made a comment in any oral hearing in over five years!!!!!

How many combinations of 13 can you find on our nation’s seal??

Let’s Eat JelloLet’s Eat Jello

Legislative, Executive, Judicial

Articles 1, Article 2, Article 3

Congress, President, Supreme Court

REMEMBER . . .LEJ MCI

ArticlesLegislative Makes laws IExecutive Carries out laws IIJudicial Interprets laws III

Article IVCreates a system to share power between the

states and the federal (national or central) government

Explains the relationship between the national and state governments

Article VExplains how the Constitution can be

amended (changed)

Article V – The Amendment ProcessThe Constitution

cannot be changed by just anyone!!!

This document is permanent and so are its changes…Once you

amend/change the document you must amend that amendment!!

WHAT!?!?!

Article V – The Amendment ProcessWhy do you think the

“founding fathers” wanted this as the way to change the nation’s plan?Why not have the

President change it?Why not have the

Supreme Court change it?

What two groups did they allow to change the document??

Article V – The Amendment ProcessPropose – to put

forward; to plan; to make an offer

Ratification – to officially approve

How many ways are there to:Propose an

amendment?Ratify an amendment?

Article VIConstitution is the supreme law of the land

Supremacy Clause

Article VIIConstitution will go into effect when 9 states

ratify (approves) it

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

The ArticlesEssential Terms

Article 1CongressArticle 2 PresidentArticle 3 Supreme CourtFederalism Amendment ProcessSupremacy Clause Ratification

Essential QuestionsHow is the separation of

powers shown in the U.S. Constitution?

How did the amendment process and federalism solve the disputes between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists?

Prep for Constitution Gallery Walk- Warm Up: Set up the columns of each chart- Cool Down: Create the rows for the gallery walk chart

- Amendment Chart - # Supreme Court Case Chart - #

Title of

Case(and

related amendme

nt or right)

What Happened?(20 words

of less)

Ruling & Effect

(precedent set)

Amendment #

Description Additional

-Details -Limits

-Related court cases

Amendment Chart – make sure you leave enough

space to add a lot of detail to your notes (room for both your notes and mine)Amendment # Description Additional

-Details -Limits

-Related court cases

1st – R

1st – A & P

1st – P

1st – S

2nd -

3rd -

4th -

5th – S

5th – I

5th – D

5th – E

5th - D

6th – RIGHT TO ….

7th -

8th -

9th -

10th -

Civil War Amendments

President/Executive Branch Amendments

Alcohol AmendmentsVoting Amendments

Supreme Court Case Chart - make sure you

leave enough space to add a lot of detail to your notes (room for both your notes and mine)Title of Case

(and related amendment or right)

What Happened?(20 words of

less)

Ruling & Effect (precedent set)

Marbury v. Madison

McCulloch v. Maryland

Gibbons v. Ogden

Mapp v. Ohio

Gideon v. Wainwright

Miranda v. Arizona

Furman v. Georgia

Gregg v. Georgia

Dredd Scott v. Sandford

Plessy v. Ferguson

Schenck v. U.S.

Korematsu v. U.S.

Brown v. the B.o.E.

Heart of Atlanta v. U.S.

Roe v. Wade

Texas v. Johnson

Engel v. Vitale

Tinker v. Des Moines

New Jersey v. TLO

Bethel v. Fraser

Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier

14 - Bill of Rights & Amendments Essential Terms Bill of Rights

“establishment clause” “free exercise” petition libel slander “clear and present danger” bear arms quartering troops seizure self incrimination indictment due process eminent domain double jeopardy civil suit cruel and unusual punishment enumerated rights

Voting Amendments

President or Executive Amendments

Civil War (or Civil Rights) Amendments

Alcohol Amendments

Essential QuestionsHow does the

Bill of Rights protect individual rights with the rule of law?Give

examples of how the Bill of Rights and/or the amendments balances civil liberties with government power.

the Bill of Rights v. Amendments 11 - 27

the Bill of Rights Amendments 11 - 27the first 10 amendments

to the Constitution

added all at once during the Constitutional Convention

outlines the rights of citizens

AmendmentsChanges to the Constitution

There are 27 total amendments

Bill of Rights—first 10 amendmentsprotects the rights of citizens (civil liberties)