Citizenship Structure of Government 8.28 Describe the significance of the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, and the Mayflower Compact in relation to the development of government in America. (C, H, P) 8.33 Describe the principles embedded in the Constitution, including the purposes of government listed in the Preamble, separation of powers, check and balances, the amendment process, federalism, and recognition of and protections of individual rights in the Bill of Rights. (P)

Constitution Constitution has three parts – Preamble – Articles – Amendments “We the people of the United States” the authority of the government comes from its citizens

Goals (preamble) of the Constitution To form a more perfect union To establish justice To ensure domestic tranquility To provide for the common defense To promote the general welfare To secure the blessings of liberty

Articles (7) First three Articles – framework of government – Legislative – powers and limits – Executive – powers and limits – Judicial – powers and limits Article 4 – relations between states – honor each other laws Article 5 Process for amending the Constitution Article 6 Constitution is the supreme law of the land – no state or law can violate it Article 7 procedure for states to ratify the Constitution

Amendments Formal changes 27 Amendments The Ten Amendments = Bill of Rights