Knowledge Connections Vocabulary  Constitution Term Definition Knowledge Connections Picture

What is the purpose of a constitution? Essential Question What is the purpose of a constitution?

An agreement between the government and the people Why do we need a constitution? Enlightenment thinkers believed strong in a SOCIAL CONTRACT An agreement between the government and the people A CONSTITUTION sets the terms of that agreement A plan of government

Here’s where they got their ideas from: How did we know what to put in it? In the United States, JAMES MADISON led the writing of the U.S. Constitution The writings of ancient Greece and Rome English democracy Ideas of Enlightenment philosophers Here’s where they got their ideas from:

Does it have to be written? A constitution does NOT have to be written UNWRITTEN CONSTITUTIONS are collections of laws, traditions, and court case decisions that develop over time ENGLAND uses documents such as: English Bill of Rights Magna Carta to establish the rules of their society

Don’t some countries have written ones? Most nations have WRITTEN CONSTITUTIONS The United States Constitution (written in 1787) is the oldest written constitution in effect today

What is the purpose of a constitution? A constitution (written or unwritten) serves several major purposes It defines the powers and duties of the government It is the supreme law of the land It states the ideals shared by the people It establishes the structure of the government

How do we know what it’s supposed to do? Most constitutions also have include a PREAMBLE An the introduction stating purposes of the government The Preamble to the United States Constitution states that the government’s purpose is to: Form a better society Establish justice Ensure peace Provide for defense Promote general well being Secure freedom to all generations

What is the purpose of a constitution? Essential Question What is the purpose of a constitution?

WRITTEN CONSTITUTIONS UNWRITTEN CONSTITUTIONS