The Constitution

Date is was Signed  September 17, 1787

Structure/ Outline  Preamble- purpose of Government  7 Articles  27 Amendments  On back- Treasure Map

7 Articles  1. Legislative Branch  2. Executive Branch  3. Judicial Branch  4. State’s Powers  5. Amending Constitution  6. Federal Powers  7. Ratification Process

Bill of Rights  First 10 Amendments (1791) 1. Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly and right to petition 2. Weapon for protection 3. Soldiers can not enter house 4. Cannot be arrested/ search without probable cause 5. Government must follow due process 6. Right to fair and speedy trial 7. Right to jury 8. Government cannot demand excessive bail or cruel and unusual punishment 9. Does not all of the rights of the people and the states 10. Any powers not listed in Constitution are powers of states

Concepts of Democracy  Worth of the Individual  Equality of all Persons  Majority Rule, Minority Rights  Necessity of Comprise  Individual Freedom

6 basic principles of the U.S constitution  Popular Sovereignty  1.“We the people “  a.What do you think this means?  b.the people are the only source of Governmental power. The Government can govern only with the consent of the governed

6 Principles Continued  Limited Government  1.Rule of Law a. What do you think this means? b. the government is not all powerful that it may do only those things that the people have given it the power to do

6 Principles Continued  Separation of Powers  1.Three Branches of Government a. What comes to mind when you hear this phrase? b. Power is distributed between 3 equal branches of theGovernment

6 Principles Continued  Checks and Balances  What does this mean? a.Each Branch is subject to a number of restraints by the other branches

6 principles continued  Judicial Review  a.Is it important the courts have the power to find laws unconstitutional?  b.Determines if the Government’s actions are Constitutional

6 principles continued  Federalism  a.Is it good for the Federal Government to hold all the power?  b.The Central power shares power with state and local governments  c.Think of Examples

Scenario  You are visiting California and having a great vacation. You are on the beach when one of largest earthquakes in recorded history occurs. California breaks off from the mainland of America. 6 million people are left floating on a newly formed island. The survivors, about million people, decide to create an entirely new nation. You are on a select committee that is charged with task of creating most ideal form of government.  Today- You need to create a group, an new name for your country, a pick a form of government.  Think of the political philosophers we discussed, natural rights, different forms of government, principles of democracy, principles of the constitution.

In your Island Groups  Write your own Pre-amble  Your pre-amble will need to state your purpose of government  In addition to your preamble you will need to include a rationale that answers the following questions:  What is the purpose of government?  Which Philosophers does your group agree with? Why?  Which Philosophers does your group not agree with? Why not?  Which form of Government does your preamble reflect? Why this form of Government? What are the strengths of this system? What are the weakness? Why does this form of government seem stronger than other forms of government?

Read 1 st article of constitution  Answer the following questions  What are the powers and responsibilities of the legislative branch?  Who can be a legislature?  How is a bill passed?  What are the strengths?  What are the weakness

In your Island Groups  Create your own 1 st article  How are you going to pass laws on your island?  Who going to pass laws on you island  How is your system an improvement on the existing system in the U.S  What are the possible weaknesses in your system?  How are you going to overcome those weakness?

Read article 2 of constitution  Answer the following questions  What are the powers and responsibilities of the executive branch?  Who can be a president, vice president?  What are the limits places on the executive?  What are the strengths?  What are the weakness?

In your Island Groups  Create your own 2 nd article  Who is going to have authority in your system?  What limits are you going to place on this person?  What are going to be the main duties and responsibilities of this person?  What institutions/mechanisms are you going to put in place to regulate this person

Read article 3  The judicial branch is composed of which type of courts  The supreme court has jurisdiction over which type of cases?  How is a person convicted of treason?

In your island groups  Create your on Judicial branch  How will justice be achieved on your island?  How many courts will you have? What will your system look like?  What powers will the courts have?  Who will be judges? How will these judges be chosen? What powers will these judges have

Article 5: In your Island groups  Discuss Article 5 PowerPoint  How will your constitution be changed in the future? What does that process look like?

Bill of Rights  Read Bill of Rights  What are the basic rights your citizens will have on your Island