The US Constitution

1. The US Constitution The Supreme Law of the Land

2. PURPOSES OF CONSTITUTION • Allow for Change • The framers wanted to make sure the Constitution could change with the times • But they did not want change to the most basic structures and rules of government • Thus, Article 5 allows for “Amending”

3. The US Constitutions Short and Straight forward Turn to Page 65: Copy the Chart and complete it. Articles of the Constitution

4. Respecting people’s rights while creating a strong government was a major task of the framers of the Constitution Six principles were designed to ensure that we could have a strong government and keep our liberties

5. The Six Basic Principles Behind the US ConstitutionTurn to Pages 65-70 and complete chart

6. Our Changing Constitution Formal Amendments involve changes in the written words of the Constitution. Informalamendments – where changes are made without involving changes in the written word of the Constitution. More than 10,000 formal amendmentshave been proposed in congress since 1789. 33 have been sent to the States & 27 have been ratified. Our written Constitution has been in force longer than any other written constitution in the world. [Britain’s is unwritten]

7. Amendments: Changes to the US Constitution • 4 possible ways to FORMALLY amend the Constitution (page 73 of text book) Draw the arrows and be ready to explain

8. Picture at geocities.com google formal amendment of Constitution

9. The Bill of Rights (First 10 Amendments) Found on Pages 771-773

10. 20. Amendment 20. changes of dates for Presidential and Congressional terms 21. Amendment 21. Repeal of National Prohibition 22. Amendment 22. Two-Term Limit for Presidents 23. Amendment 23. Presidential Vote for District of Columbia 24. Amendment 24. Poll Tax Banned in Federal Elections 25. Amendment 25. Presidential Disability and Succession 26. Amendment 26. Voting Age Lowered to 18 Years 27. Amendment 27. Congressional Pay 11. Amendment 11. Immunity of States from certain lawsuits 12. Amendment 12. Election of President and Vice-President (changes Electoral College) 13. Amendment 13. Slavery Abolished 14. Amendment 14. Citizenship Defined Equal Protection, and Due Process 15. Amendment 15. Right to Vote with No Racial Barriers 16. Amendment 16. Income Tax Authorized 17. Amendment 17. Election of Senators by Direct Popular Vote 18. Amendment 18. National Prohibition of Intoxicating Liquors 19. Amendment 19. Right to Vote Given Nationwide to Women • The last 17 fall into 3 categories. • They make public policy. • They correct deficiencies in gov. structure. • They promote equality.

11. Amendments to the United States Constitution • The Bill of Rights First 10 Amendments Scope of Federal Government Power 11th and 16th Amendments • Federal Elections and Terms 12th, 17th, 20th, 22nd, and 25th Amendments • Civil War Amendments 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments • Suffrage Amendments 15th, 19th, 23rd, 24th and 26th Amendments • Prohibition - 18th and 21st Amendments

13. Write the number of the amendment that prohibits the following violations.1. ___ Luke was found innocent of armed robbery but the State decided to bring him to trial again anyway. 2. ___ After being found guilty of drunk driving, the court ordered that Carolyn spend the next thirty years in solitary confinement.3. ___ The town of Upper Creek decided to double the taxes of all Catholics.4. ___ In a civil trial where the dispute was over $2o, both sides were denied a jury trial.5. ___ For no apparent reason, the police pulled Rita’s car over and began to search through her trunk and personal luggage.6. ___ The U.S. Attorney General ordered all American citizens to turn in their rifles and pistols by noon on Saturday.7. ___ Judge M.T. Nasty ordered a doctor to cut off the right hand of Sue, a convicted pickpocket.8. ___The federal government decided that State governments were no longer necessary. 9. ___ The President declared that the only rights Americans have are those listed in the first eight amendments. 10. ___ A representative asked the local newspaper not to print an editorial critical of her record. Interpreting the Bill of Rights P. 772 5 8 1 7 4 2 8 10 9 1

14. Interpreting the Bill of Rights [11-20]11. ___ During peacetime, the Army ordered the residents of Ramada to house its soldiers.12. ___ A group of labor leaders were told that they could conduct a peaceful rally in the town square.13. ___ Henry was arrested for shoplifting, but was not brought to trial for five years.14. ___ The judge insisted that the defendant take the stand and explain his actions on the night of an alleged crime.15. ___ The police decided to bug Kevin’s home phone in the hope that they would uncover some kind of crime.16. ___ Congress passed a law banning the practice of Buddhism in the U.S.17. ___ The judge decided to throw Joyce in jail without the benefit of due process.18. ___ Melissa was arrested and placed behind bars without ever being informed of the nature or cause of the accusation.19. ___ After being charged with arson, Nathaniel was denied the right of counsel for his defense.20. ___ Judge Stone placed Kyle’s bail for cheating on a high school exam at $500,000. 3 1 6 5 4 1 5 6 6 8

15. A Visitor from Outer Space • Rank the rights: 1 most important and 10 is the least important • You Have 10 Minutes • (Click to time)

16. 10

17. 9

18. 8

19. 7

20. 6

21. 5

22. 4

23. 3

24. 2

25. 1

26. Time is up!

27. Informal Amendment Processes Informal amendment is the process by which over time many changes have been made in the Constitution which have not involved any changes in its written word. The informal amendment process can take place by: 1.) the passage of basic legislation by Congress; 2.) actions taken by the President; 3.) key decisions of the Supreme Court; 4.) the activities of political parties; 5.) custom.

28. Executive Action Presidential actions have produced a number of important informal amendments, such as the use of the military under the power of commander in chief. An executive agreement is a pact made by the President directly with the head of a foreign state. Court Decisions The nation’s courts, most importantly the United States Supreme Court, interpret and apply the Constitution in many cases they hear. Executive Action and Court Decisions

29. Today’s Constitutional Issues • Gun Control and the 2nd Amendment • Death Penalty and Cruel and Unusual • Prayer in Schools 1st Amendment • Censorship & Free Speech • Terrorism and Seize and Seizure rules – 4th • Term Limits for Congress • Campaign finance reform • Abortion and Due Process rights – 5th

30. The End

31. Quiz: Constitution 4. Many of the basic rights of citizens are constitutionally guaranteed in (a) English common law. (b) the Declaration of Independence. (c) the Magna Carta. (d) the Bill of Rights. 5. An informal amendment can be established by (a) actions taken by the President. (b) custom. (c) key decisions of the Supreme Court. (d) all of the above. 6. An executive agreement is (a) a promise from the President to the legislature. (b) a pact made by the President directly with the head of a foreign state. (c) a decision made by the President and his cabinet members. (d) the contract the President signs when he accepts the office. 1. Article II of the Constitution establishes the powers of the (a) executive branch. (b) legislative branch. (c) States. (d) judicial branch. 2. The principle of popular sovereignty asserts that the (a) government should be divided into three branches. (b) monarch is the supreme ruler. (c) means of production should be owned by the proletariat. (d) people are the source of any and all government power. 3. A formal amendment (a) changes the Constitution by passing laws. (b) changes the written language of the Constitution itself. (c) allows States to secede from the United States. (d) none of the above.