A CLOSE LOOK AT THE CONSTITUTION

1. A CLOSE LOOK AT THE CONSTITUTION • LEARNING OBJECTIVES • Identify the basic principles behind the Constitution. • Explain how the Constitution sets up the federal government in seven articles. • Explain the meaning and importance of the Bill of Rights.

2. Chapter 4Words To Know Legislative branch – the part of government that makes the laws. Executive branch – the part of government that carries out the laws Judicial branch – the part of government that rules on what the laws mean Trial – a case heard at court before a judge or jury Senator – a member of the Senate Unconstitutional – a law or government act that goes against the Constitution

3. The Basic Principles Behind the Constitution On July 4, 1788 the people of Philadelphia gathered for a parade to celebrate a model ship named Constitution. The ship stood for the new government of the United States. In 1987, we celebrated the 200th anniversary of the writing of the Constitution. The Constitution has only changed 27 times.

4. The Constitution sets up a plan for government in seven (7) articles. That plan is based on the following principles: Rule by the people : In a democracy, the people hold the power to make all the laws. Limited powers : Government must not be too strong; freedoms protected Separation of powers : Power in government is divided among three (3) branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. Checks and Balances : Each branch of government has some powers over the others branches Judicial review : The courts must throw out any state laws that go against the U.S. Constitution Federal Government : The United States government has some powers. The state governments have their own powers.

5. Outline of the U.S. Constitution Preamble – opening words – tells why the Constitution was written Article 1 – legislative branch – sets up a way to make laws (congress) Article 2 – executive branch – sets up a way to carry out the laws (Pres and VP) Article 3 – judicial branch – sets up a way to judge the laws (supreme court and the lower federal courts) Article 4 – the states – says that states must honor each others’ laws

6. Article 5 – amendments – sets up a way to change the Constitution Article 6 – supreme law – states that the Constitution is the highest law of the land Article 7 – ratification – sets up how the states must vote for the Constitution to become law

7. AMENDMENTSTO CONSTITUITION First – 1791 – protects freedom of religion, speech, press, and assembly Second – 1791 – protects the right to bear arms Third – 1791 – protects people from having to house s0ldiers during peacetime Fourth – 1791 – protects people and their property from government searches without good reason

8. Fifth – 1791 - sets up grand jury; protects citizens against having to face trial more than once; guarantees due process Sixth – 1791 – guarantees fair and quick trial for accused persons Seventh – 1791 – guarantees a jury trial for court cases

9. Eighth – 1791 – guarantees reasonable treatment and punishment for accused persons Ninth – 1791 – reserves for the people all rights not listed in the constitution Tenth – 1791 – saves all other powers for the states and people

10. Eleventh – 1798 – protects states from federal lawsuits Twelfth – 1804 – requires a separate vote for president and a separate vote for VP in the electoral college Thirteenth – 1865 – Ends slavery in the United States Fourteenth – 1868 – grants citizenship to African Americans, protects people’s right from unfair treatment by state governments

11. Fifteenth – 1870 – grants African Americans the right to vote Sixteenth – 1913 – sets up a federal income tax Seventeenth – 1913 – allows people of each state to directly elect their own senators to Congress

12. Eighteenth – 1919 – outlaws manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages Nineteenth – 1920 - grants women the right to vote Twentieth – 1933 – sets dates for the beginning of congress’s meetings and President’s term of office

13. Twenty-First – 1933 – repeals, or ends, the Eighteenth Amendment Twenty-Second – 1951 – allows President to have only two elected terms Twenty-Third – 1961 – grants citizens of Washington DC the right to vote for President

14. Twenty-Four – 1964 – ends taxes on voting in national elections (poll tax) Twenty-Five – 1967 – sets guidelines for filling the offices of the President and VP should they become vacant Twenty-Six – 1971 – grants 18 year olds the right to vote Twenty-Seven – 1992 – stops congress from increasing the salary of its current members

15. A PLAN FOR GOVERNMENT IN SEVEN ARTICLES THE PREAMBLE The Constitution starts with a few words that tell you its purpose. It says the Constitution is to set up ways to keep the country safe, peaceful, and fair in its laws.

16. ARTICLES 1 - 3 Article 1: The Legislative Branch – Creates a Congress with powers to make laws. It holds the Senate and House of Representatives. Article 2: Executive Branch – Describes duties of the President. Gives President power to carry out laws and to represent country in dealing with other countries. Article 3: Judicial Branch – Creates Supreme Court.Thehighest court in the land.

17. ARTICLES 4 & 5 Article 4: State Governments – All states have to honor the laws of the other states. Article 5: Making Changes – Describes the methods for makingchangesto the Constitution

18. ARTICLES 6 & 7 Article 6: The Constitution is Supreme Law This article makes the Constitution the highest law in the land Article 7: Ratification – The Constitution had to be ratified (passed) by the states before it became law. 9 out of 13 had to pass it before it could take effect