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Essentials of the US Constitution and Amendments

Learn about the seven articles of the US Constitution and key amendments including the Bill of Rights, with a focus on provisions safeguarding individual liberties and governmental structure. Explore how the Constitution adapts to societal changes and Hamilton’s economic plan's impact. Understanding the foundations of the American legal system is crucial for citizens and policymakers alike.

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Essentials of the US Constitution and Amendments

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  1. Warm Up • Using the Acronym we wrote down last Friday, identify the seven articles of the constitution. • Hint: Little Emily Just Saw A Silly Rabbit

  2. Quote of the Day • “I’d like to suggest that there is no left or right, there is only an up or down” -Ronald Reagan

  3. The United States Constitution

  4. The Philadelphia Convention • Met in 1786 to amend the Articles of Confederation and strengthen the central government of the United States

  5. The Constitution Adopted 9/17/1787 Oldest constitution in use in the world today Amended 27 times, most recently in 1992 Designed to prevent despotism by creating checks and balances between the three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial)

  6. Flexibility • Article V: The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress; provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.

  7. The Bill of Rights (1791) • Introduced to the First Congress in 1789 by James Madison • Madison and his supporters believed that certain rights needed to be better spelled out in order to prevent any chance of abuses

  8. Amendment I • “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” • RAPPS • Freedom of religion, assembly, press, petition, and speech

  9. Amendment II • “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” • right to bear arms and have a well-regulated militia

  10. Amendment III • “No Soldier shall be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.” • Govt cant force you to house troops

  11. Amendment IV • “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” • No illegal searches or seizures unless a search warrant is signed by a judge

  12. Amendment V • No Self-Incrimination • Indictment by a grand jury • No Double Jeopardy • Due Process • Eminent Domain

  13. Amendment VI • Speedy, public trial • Be Tried Locally • Know what you're accused of • Call your own witnesses • An attorney

  14. Amendment VII • “In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.” • Jury Trial in Civil Cases

  15. Amendment VIII • “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessivefinesimposed, nor cruel, unusual punishments inflicted” • no cruel or unusual punishment, excessive fines or bail

  16. Amendment IX • “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.” • In other words, just because a “right” does not appear in the Constitution, does not mean that “the people” do not have that right (such as the right to privacy, for example) • Non–Enumerated rights retained by people

  17. Amendment X • “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people” • In other words, powers not given to the fed govt belong to states or people

  18. How does the Constitution allow for changes over time within society? There are 2 ways. -We must look to history to answer this.

  19. Hamilton’s Economic Plan • Most states had many debts left over from the Revolution • Hamilton wanted the US to assumethe states’ individual debts • US would pay these debts by taxing whiskey and imported goods • Hamilton also wanted to establish a national bank

  20. This plan will launch America’s first political parties. Why????

  21. Constitutional opposition to Hamilton’s Plan • Thomas Jefferson argued government did not have the constitutional power to create a bank (a strict interpretation of the Constitution) • Hamilton argued that the “necessary and proper” clause (Elastic Clause) allowed the government to do what was necessary to perform its functions (loose interpretation)

  22. Lets get back to the birth of the two party system!!!!

  23. Federalists Led by Alexander Hamilton Favored strong national government Favored large landowners and merchants Favored tariffs and government regulations that supported business Loose interpretationists More popular in the North Pro-business Favored neutrality in the war between Britain and France Democratic-Republicans Led by Thomas Jefferson Favored strong state governments Favored small farmers Favored a “laissez-faire” approach where government did not regulate the economy Strict interpretationists More popular in the South Pro-farmers Favored France in their war against Britain Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans

  24. Questions to Think About?- How does the Constitution allow for change?- Why do we have Political Parties?- How can the Constitution be interpreted differently?- What is YOUR interpretation of the constitution?

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