The United States Constitution

1. The United States Constitution 1787-2013 226 Years and Counting

2. The Basics • The Constitution is the highest law in the United States • All other laws come from the Constitution in some way • It is responsible for creating: • The Presidency • Congress • The Supreme Court • “Amendments” were added over time (amend= “to change”) to protect the rights of the people • There are 27 amendments as of 2012 • The first 10 amendments are called The Bill of Rights

3. History • May through September, 1787: The Framers (men who wrote the Constitution) met in Philadelphia to talk about what should be in it—this was the Constitutional Convention • The country was very new, and had a government that many felt was not as good as it could be. The Framers wanted to think up a new, better way of running the country • Some of the Framers are famous names today: • Ben Franklin • George Washington

4. History continued • Men came from all over the country, which was only 13 states at that time • They all had their own ideas about how the country should be run • It is said that the Constitution was born of compromise, because not every state could have everything their way • The Constitution had to be approved by all 13 states • It really only needed 9 states, but everyone wanted all of the states to agree • When the Constitution was approved by the first 9 states, we say that it was ratified

5. How It All Works • The Constitution sets up 3 main branches of government • Legislative branch—makes laws • Senate, House of Representatives, and Congress • Executive branch—makes sure the laws are carried out • The President, Vice President, and the Cabinet • Judicial—interprets the laws • Federal courts and the Supreme Court • Checks and balances • No one branch has power over the other two; in other words, they check one another • EX: The President can veto a law that Congress passes, and Congress will have to vote again to override that veto (it needs a 2/3 majority)

7. The Amendments • The Framers knew the Constitution was not perfect, even when the states all approved it • Wanted to allow future generations to make changes, but they did NOT want to make it too easy • The Amendment process • Most common: a 2/3 vote in Congress • 1. 2/3 of Congress approve it • 2. 3/4 of the states have to approve it • 3. Amendment is ratified

8. The Bill of Rights • The original Constitution had no bill of rights • The Framers thought it was not needed • A bill of rights was proposed after the new government started meeting • People were afraid that without one, the government could keep them from doing some important things by passing laws against those things—like free speech • The first ten amendments are known as our Bill of Rights—they are the first changes made to the Constitution!

9. The Bill of Rights • 1. Freedom of speech/religion/press/right to assemble • 2. Right to bear arms • 3. Prohibits forced quartering of soldiers • 4. Right to secure property and possessions from unlawful search and seizure • 5. Rights in criminal cases (do not have to testify against oneself/”plead the 5th”) • 6. Right to a fair trial/assistance of counsel in defense • 7. Rights in civil cases • 8. Rights against excessive bail and “cruel and unusual punishment” • 9. A statement that other rights aside from those listed here may exist, and just because they are not listed does not mean they cannot be violated. • 10. Right of states to delegate power not explicitly given in the Constitution

10. Slavery and the Constitution • Most black people in America in 1787 were slaves, and the Constitution was not created with them in mind • In the 1860s, slavery ended with the Civil War and brought more changes to the Constitution: • 13th Amendment: abolished slavery in the U.S. • 14th Amendment: declared every person born in the U.S. is a full citizen regardless of race • 15th Amendment: ensured race cannot be used as criteria for voting • Equality would not happen overnight, though. For more than 100 years after this, some laws were passed to try and keep black people from being equal to whites. • The election of President Obama in 2008 was a huge step in fulfilling the dream of equality in the U.S.

11. Women and the Constitution • For much of U.S. history, women had very little chance to advance in life • Primarily homemakers and supporters of their husbands • Denied roles in politics and government; could not vote • 1920: the 19th Amendment gives women the right to vote in all elections • Today, women enjoy a large role in politics • Without the right to vote, politicians would not care about issues important to women • Many women hold government office today