Components 1.The Original Document 2. Bill of Rights 3. Amendments The US Constitution Components 1.The Original Document 2. Bill of Rights 3. Amendments

The Constitution This remarkable document has protected the fundamental and changing rights of Americans for over two centuries. Came due to issues in the Articles of Confederation and economic issues of the times along with concerns over defense. And a desire for people-centered government.

The Original Document Preamble Goals and Philosophy STATEMENT OF PURPOSE Articles Responsibilities Duties 3 Branches Limits Bill of Rights Additional Amendments

Preamble We the people of the United States, In order to form a more perfect union that would benefit all Establish justice Ensure domestic tranquility Promote the general welfare Secure the blessings of our liberty to ourselves and our posterity Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America

Preamble Meaning We want a better, more efficient system of government than was possible under the Article of Confederation We want all people treated fairly under the same laws We want to ensure an adequate defense against those who would be our enemies.

Preamble Meaning We want to ensure peaceful existence within the United States. We want to keep our freedom and certain that our children and our children’s children have those same freedoms. Help people live happy free lives.

Articles Articles are the duties and responsibilities of the Federal Government. Art1 ---people’s part of the Govt Art. 2---The President Art. 3 The Supreme Court Art. 4 relations among the States Art. 5 Amending the Document Art6 and 7 Supremacy Clause and the ratification process

Bill of Rights First 10 Amendments “a BOR are what he people are entitled too”----Thomas Jefferson The BOR was born out of distrust for government, kings, tyrants and abusive governments. James Madison introduced the first set of Constitutional Amendments by proposing 80 issues they were pared down to 10.

Bill of Rights The government could not violate the Rights of Individuals to: Speak Freely Publish Freely Assemble Peacefully Bear Arms Practice their own religion Not testify against themselves Subject to unreasonable search and seizure Have jury trials State retention of some power

Additional Amendments 13th 14th 15th---Civil War Amendments 17th—election of Senators 18th---Prohibition 20th—voting Others too Proves it is a flexible Document

Six Basic Principles The Constitution---the Supreme Law of the land is built on six basic principles Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Judicial Review Federalism

Popular Sovereignty Government authority comes from the people The preamble spells this out: WE THE PEOPLE Majority decides Ensures government serves the people No one comes to office due to birth ex. monarchy

Limited Government How the government must act Article 1 sec. 9 Writs of Habeas Corpus Bills of Attainder Ex post facto Constitutionalism

Separation of Powers 3 Branches of Government The first 3 articles spell this out Legislative/Executive/Judicial Explains their responsibility to the People No portion of gov’t gets too powerful Prevents concentration of power or abuse of power.

Checks and Balances Allows branches to restrain each other’s power Watchdog element of government Veto/power of the purse/impeachment

Judicial Review Determination of constitutionality Marbury v. Madison Ultimate interpretation of the document and arbitrator of conflicts between branches of government. Supremacy Clause Elastic Clause Rule of Law

Federalism Allows and balances power between national and state governments Delineates power Reserved Powers Delegated Powers Division of power