The U.S. Constitution: Basic Structure

In the late 1700s, 90% of Americans had a basic understanding of the key concepts relating to the U.S. Constitution. What do you think that figure is today? Have your notes ready and fill them in as we go.

"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.” –Thomas Jefferson

“A government of laws, and not of men.” –John Adams

“It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed.” -Abigail Adams

Key Concept: The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution work together

The Declaration of Independence = Purpose Document Why the U.S. was founded / its core principles

The Constitution = Organizational Document How the U.S. will govern itself / highest law of the land

The Constitution acts on the principles and beliefs that are written in the Declaration of Independence

July 4, 1776 September 17, 1787

Difference in size of the documents: Declaration = 1400 words about Constitution = 4500 words about

The Constitution has three parts: 1.  Preamble 2.  Articles 3.  Amendments

BASIC STRUCTURE

The Bill of Rights •  These are the 1st 10 amendments •  Added during ratification •  A concise listing of the rights of

the citizens and the rights of the states

THE SIX BIG IDEAS

The six big idea of the Constitution are: 1. Limited government 2. Republicanism 3. Checks and balances 4. Federalism 5. Separation of powers 6. Popular sovereignty

THE SIX BIG IDEAS

The six big idea of the Constitution are: 1.  Limited government – minimizes government’s power and influence. 2.  Republicanism – public opinion reflects voters who elect officials who are

most informed about the issues. 3.  Checks and balances – each branch of government can place a check on

the other so that political power is not concentrated in any one area of government.

4.  Federalism – there is a working relationship between the federal and state governments.

5.  Separation of powers – the act of placing the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government in separate bodies.

6.  Popular sovereignty – the government gets its power from the people.

THE SIX BIG IDEAS

Checks and balances – each branch of government can place a

check on the other so that political power is not concentrated in any one area of government.

THE SIX BIG IDEAS

Federalism – there is a working relationship between the federal and

state governments. We are the United States of America.

THE SIX BIG IDEAS

Separation of powers – the act of placing the legislative,

executive, and judicial branches of government in separate bodies.

•  Total length of the U.S. Constitution is over 4500 words •  About 4000 of those words describe how the three

branches of government are to operate

•  The remainder of words describe the relationship between the states and the process for making amendments

BASIC STRUCTURE

BASIC STRUCTURE

BASIC STRUCTURE

BASIC STRUCTURE

BASIC STRUCTURE

BASIC STRUCTURE

“The Preamble” - The first 52 words of the Constitution & the most important

BASIC STRUCTURE

“The Preamble” - The first 52 words of the Constitution & the most important

•  They state the 6 core purposes for which the Constitution was written

BASIC STRUCTURE

“The Preamble” - The first 52 words of the Constitution & the most important

•  They state the 6 core purposes for which the Constitution was written

•  These 6 core purposes serve to define and limit the remaining 4450 words of the Constitution

PREAMBLE

What do those first 52 words say?

We the people of the United States in order 1. To form a more perfect Union 2. To establish justice 3. To ensure domestic tranquility 4. To provide for common defense 5. To promote the general welfare 6. To secure Liberty to ourselves and our posterity

PREAMBLE

Translation…

We the people of the United States in order 1.  To connect the states together 2.  To Establish justice 3.  To Ensure peace 4.  To Provide for defense 5.  To Promote well-being of people 6.  To Secure Liberty now and for the

future

PREAMBLE

Translation…

We the people of the United States in order 1.  To connect the states together 2.  Establish justice 3.  Ensure peace 4.  Provide for defense 5.  Promote the well-being of people /

fairness 6.  Secure Liberty now and for the future The rest of the Constitution guides and supports these 6 core purposes

ACTIVITY

Your task in this class is to memorize the Preamble – the first 52 words of the Constitution

ACTIVITY

Take a copy of the Preamble and work together in groups of 4 to memorize it. We’ll employ a performance strategy that uses gestures…

PREAMBLE

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.