The U.S. Constitution Civics Mr. Growdon

Contents What is the Constitution? What is the Constitution? Background and origin Background and origin Organization and components Organization and components Follow-up Questions Follow-up Questions

What is the Constitution? Supreme Law of the US Supreme Law of the US Basic source of legal authority Basic source of legal authority Organizes the government into 3 branches Organizes the government into 3 branches Defines roles Defines roles Guarantees rights Guarantees rights

Oath of the Office of the President “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Article 2, Section 1, Clause 8

The US Constitution Signed by 39 men (Delegates) representing 12 of the 13 states (not R.I.) Signed by 39 men (Delegates) representing 12 of the 13 states (not R.I.) Is the oldest written Constitution in use in the world today Is the oldest written Constitution in use in the world today Preserved in the National Archives in Washington, DC Preserved in the National Archives in Washington, DC

Origin of the Constitution Replaced the Articles of Confederation Replaced the Articles of Confederation Completed at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia Completed at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia Authored by many Delegates to the Convention Authored by many Delegates to the Convention Adopted on Sept. 17, “Constitution Day” Adopted on Sept. 17, “Constitution Day” Ratified in 1788 Ratified in 1788 James Madison

Ratification Ratification of the Constitution Date State Votes Yes No 1 December 7, 1787 Delaware December 11, 1787 Pennsylvania December 18, 1787 New Jersey January 2, 1788 Georgia January 9, 1788 Connecticut February 6, 1788 Massachusetts April 26, 1788 Maryland May 23, 1788 South Carolina June 21, 1788 New Hampshire June 25, 1788 Virginia July 26, 1788 New York November 21, 1789 North Carolina May 29, 1790 Rhode Island Required 9 of 13 states Required 9 of 13 states When was it ratified? When was it ratified? By which state? By which state? How many states ultimately ratified it? How many states ultimately ratified it?

Parts of the Constitution Organization of the Constitution: Organization of the Constitution: Preamble (Statement of purpose) Preamble (Statement of purpose) 7 Articles (Body) 7 Articles (Body) Within Articles are Sections and Clauses Within Articles are Sections and Clauses 27 Amendments (additions and changes) 27 Amendments (additions and changes) First 10 Amendments = “Bill of Rights” First 10 Amendments = “Bill of Rights” Bill of Rights were ratified in 1791; 27th Amendment was ratified in 1992 Bill of Rights were ratified in 1791; 27th Amendment was ratified in 1992

Parts of the Constitution Articles 1 – 3: Balance of power Articles 1 – 3: Balance of power 1. Legislative (Congress) 1. Legislative (Congress) 2. Executive (Presidency) 2. Executive (Presidency) 3. Judicial (Courts) 3. Judicial (Courts)

Article 4: States’ Powers and Limits Article 4: States’ Powers and Limits Discusses relationship between state and federal government Discusses relationship between state and federal government Article 5: Amendments Article 5: Amendments Process for Amending the Constitution Process for Amending the Constitution Article 6: Federal Power Article 6: Federal Power Establishes the Constitution and federal laws as the “supreme law of the land” Establishes the Constitution and federal laws as the “supreme law of the land” Article 7: Ratification Article 7: Ratification Acceptance of the Constitution Acceptance of the Constitution Parts of the Constitution

Questions??? Q: What preceded the Constitution? A: The Articles of Confederation

Questions??? Q: What was the problem with the Articles of Confederation? Why was the Constitution needed? A: Under the Articles of Confederation the U.S. was a weak grouping of states with no President or federal legislature

Questions??? Q: What does the Oath of the Presidency say regarding the Constitution? A: “I do solemnly swear that I will…preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Questions??? Q: What was required to ratify the Constitution? When was it ratified? A: Required 9 states to ratify. Was ratified on June 21, 1788 (by New Hampshire)

Questions??? Q: How many people signed the Constitution? Can you name any? A: Signed by 39 Delegates George Washington, Ben Franklin, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, etc.

Questions??? Q: Where is the Constitution today? A: National Archives in Washington, DC in Washington, DC

Questions??? Q: What are the 3 basic components of the Constitution? A: Preamble ArticlesAmendments

Questions??? Q: How many Articles are there? What are the subsections called? A: 7 Articles total Broken into Sections and Clauses

Questions??? Q: What does each of the first 3 Articles of the Constitution define (in order)? A: Article 1 = Legislature Article 2 = Executive Branch Article 3 = Judiciary

Questions??? Q: In which Article and Section is the Oath of the Office of the Presidency spelled out? A: Article 2, Section 1

Questions??? Q: How many Amendments are there? When was the last Amendment ratified A: 27 Amendments total The 27th Amendment was submitted in 1789 and ratified in 1992

Questions??? Q: What are the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution called? Can you identify any of them? A: First 10 Amendments = “The Bill of Rights”

Questions??? Q: What are the exact words of the Preamble? A: “We the people….”

Questions??? Q: What would the U.S. be like if we didn’t have the Constitution? A: ???????