The Constitution

1. Jill Salyers Field Director Office of U.S. Senator Bob Corker The Constitution

2. Representatives of the colonies met in Philadelphia, PA May 25, 1787 55 delegates attended Signed on September 17, 1787 by 39 people Constitutional Convention

3. Delaware – first state to ratify New Hampshire – ninth state to ratify Took effect in June 1788 George Washington elected President in February 1789 It Becomes Law

4. Preamble • Introduction • Articles • How the government works • Amendments • Formal or official change to the constitution Three Parts

5. “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 Preamble

6. First 10 amendments Sponsored by James Madison Bill of Rights

7. Describes the powers of the federal government, its three branches and the state governments Articles

8. Consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together form the United States Congress Grants Congress sole authority to enact legislation and declare war House of Representatives: 435 members Senate: 100 members Article I – Legislative Branch

9. Power is vested in the President Acts as head of state and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces Responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws written by Congress Appoints the heads of federal agencies Article II – Executive Branch

10. Members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate Judges and Justices serve no fixed term Federal courts have the sole power to interpret the law, determine the constitutionality of the law Supreme Court is the highest court in the land Article III – Judicial Branch

11. Outlines the duties states have to each other, as well as those the federal government has to the states Provides for the admission of new states and the changing of state boundaries Article IV – States

12. Describes the process whereby the Constitution may be changed Article V – Changing the Constitution

13. Establishes the Constitution and the laws and treaties of the United States made in accordance with it as the supreme law of the land Forbids a religious test as a requirement for holding a position in government Holds the United States responsible for its debts Article VI – supreme law of the land

14. Describes how many state ratifications were necessary in order for the Constitution to take effect and how a state could ratify it • “The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.” Article VII – ratifying the constitution

15. A few Important people

16. Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army Elected President of the Constitutional Convention George Washington

17. Sponsored the Bill of Rights (the first 10 amendments) Later became the 4th President James Madison

18. Delegate from Pennsylvania 81 years old Helped bring the delegates to agreement on the Constitution Benjamin Franklin

19. New York Delegate Wanted a president for life Worked for constitution passage in New York Joined Washington’s Cabinet as first Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton

20. James Madison • Concerned for religious freedom • Concerned for intellectual freedom • Guarantee our Civil Liberties and our Civil Rights • Bill of Rights – safeguard out individual liberties Amendments

21. Bill of rights

22. Freedom of religion and to practice it Freedom of speech Freedom of the press Freedom to peacefully assemble Right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances Amendment I

23. Right to keep and bear arms Amendment II

24. Prevents the government from housing soldiers in your home in peacetime and war time without your permission Amendment III

25. No unreasonable search and seizure Law enforcement must have probable cause to obtain a search warrant for your person and property Amendment IV

26. Right to due process Right to not self-incriminate themselves The right to not be tried in court twice for the same crime Amendment V

27. Speedy trial Fair trial Public trials Impartial jury Right to an attorney in a criminal trial Amendment VI

28. Right to a jury trial in certain civil cases Cases may not be re-examined by another court Amendment VII

29. Prohibits the federal government from imposing excessive bail Prohibits excessive fines or cruel and unusual punishments, including torture Amendment VIII

30. Just because a right is written into the constitution doesn’t mean that the people do not have all other rights “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.” Amendment IX

31. Powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution, nor prohibited to the states by it, are reserved to the states or to the people Amendment X

32. Amendment XIII – abolished slavery and involuntary servitude Amendment XV – prohibits the government from denying a citizen the right to vote based on race or color Amendment XIX – gave women to the right to vote Other notable amendments

33. School House Rock - The Constitution School house rock video