Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 61 The Constitution of the United States

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 2 Motivation The framework for our government is over 200 years old. Today, you’ll learn about the Constitution of the United States.

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 3 Why is the Constitution of the United States a remarkable document? One of the first written constitutions in modern history Strong central government Preserved ideals of the Declaration of Independence

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 4 Why is the Constitution of the United States a remarkable document? (cont’d) Created three branches of government and a process for adding amendments Has guided nation’s political leaders for over 200 years Symbol of pride and national unity

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 5 What is the Preamble to the Constitution? The Preamble Introduces the Constitution States reasons why the government was established Declares that the power of the government comes from the people

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 6 What are the amendments to the Constitution? The Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Limits the powers of government Protects civil liberties of individuals Limits freedoms by consideration of other individuals’ rights

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 7 What are the amendments to the Constitution? (cont’d) Amendment V—Rights of the accused Protections for people accused of crimes Due process of law Government must follow constitutional procedures in trials and other actions against individuals.

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 8 What are the amendments to the Constitution? (cont’d) Amendment VI—Right to a speedy, fair trial Jury must hear witnesses and evidence on both sides before deciding guilt or innocence of person charged with crime. Legal counsel must be provided to defendant. If defendant cannot afford lawyer, one must be provided by the government.

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 9 What are the amendments to the Constitution? (cont’d) Amendment XII—Elections Corrects problem in method of electing president and vice president Provides for the Electoral College to use separate ballots in voting for president and vice president

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 10 What are the amendments to the Constitution? (cont’d) Civil War Amendments Amendments XIII, XIV, and XV Amendment XIII—Abolition of slavery Amendment XIV—Rights of citizens Originally, intended to protect rights of freed slaves Today, protects rights of all citizens

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 11 What are the amendments to the Constitution? (cont’d) Amendment XV—Right to vote Amendment prohibits government from denying right to vote based on race. Despite law, many states denied African Americans right to vote. Stronger laws were later passed to end racial discrimination in voting rights.

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 12 What are the amendments to the Constitution? (cont’d) Amendment XVIII—Prohibition Prohibited production, sale, or transportation of alcoholic beverages in the United States Was difficult to enforce Was later repealed by Amendment XXI, the only amendment ever passed to overturn an earlier amendment

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 13 What are the amendments to the Constitution? (cont’d) Amendment XIX—Woman suffrage Guaranteed women the right to vote Some women had already won right to vote in state elections. Amendment made their right to vote in state and national elections Constitutional.

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 14 What are the amendments to the Constitution? (cont’d) Amendment XXIV—Abolition of poll tax Added in 1964 Prohibits poll taxes in federal elections Before this, some states had used such taxes to keep low-income African Americans from voting. In 1966, the Supreme Court banned poll taxes in state elections as well.

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 15 What are the amendments to the Constitution? (cont’d) Amendment XXV—The vice president Established process for vice president to take over leadership when president dies, resigns, or is removed from office. Set procedures for filling a vacancy in the office of vice president Was used in 1973, when Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned from office

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 16 What are the three parts of the Constitution? U.S. Constitution has three main parts: Preamble: opening section Articles (7): describe structure of government Amendments (27): additions and changes

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 17 What are the three parts of the Constitution? (cont’d) Preamble—introduction that states the goals and purposes of the government Tells why the Constitution was written Consists of a single, concise sentence States that the power of the government comes from the people

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 18 What are the three parts of the Constitution? (cont’d) Middle of Preamble: six purposes of government “To form a more perfect Union” “To establish Justice” “To insure domestic Tranquility” “To provide for the common defense” “To promote the general Welfare” “To secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity”

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 19 What are the three parts of the Constitution? (cont’d) After Preamble, seven articles explain how government is to work. Articles I, II, and III — powers and responsibilities of each branch of government

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 20 What are the three parts of the Constitution? (cont’d) Legislative branch of government Two houses with all lawmaking authority Rules for how members of each house are chosen Rules Congress must follow to make laws Powers Congress does and does not have

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 21 What are the three parts of the Constitution? (cont’d) Executive branch of government Headed by a president and vice president How they are to be elected How they can be removed from office Presidential powers and duties

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 22 What are the three parts of the Constitution? (cont’d) Judicial branch of government Interprets laws Ensures that laws are fairly applied Calls for creation of Supreme Court and lower courts Lists powers of federal courts Describes kinds of cases they may hear

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 23 How do the articles of the Constitution compare to the Articles of Confederation? Constitution: legislative branch Two houses of Congress Equal representation of states in Senate Representation according to population in House of Representatives Articles of Confederation: legislative branch One house of Congress Equal representation of 13 states

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 24 How do the articles of the Constitution compare to the Articles of Confederation? (cont’d) Constitution: executive branch President chosen by electors Has power to enforce laws, make treaties, command Armed Forces Articles of Confederation: no executive branch

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 25 How do the articles of the Constitution compare to the Articles of Confederation? (cont’d) Constitution: judicial branch Supreme Court and lower federal courts Have power to interpret laws Settle disputes between states Articles of Confederation: no judicial branch

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 26 How is the Constitution amended? Step 1: Proposal By Congressional action Vote of two-thirds of members of both houses of Congress By national convention As requested by two-thirds of the 50 state legislatures

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 27 How is the Constitution amended? (cont’d) Step 2: Ratification Three-fourths of the 50 states must ratify. Two ways to do this By vote of state legislature By special state convention

Foundations of United States Citizenship Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States 28 How is the Constitution interpreted? Changes take place to Constitution through interpretation. Methods of interpretation Necessary and proper clause Court decisions Congressional and presidential actions Custom