1. The Constitution of the United States of America

2. Why Does the Constitution Matter?
Constitution – body of fundamental laws which say how a government is to operate
It is the supreme law of the land
It explains how the government works
It protects your civil rights

3. A Brief Outline
The Preamble – lays out the purpose and introduces the Constitution
The Articles – the substance of governmental law
The Amendments

4. The Seven Articles I. The Legislative Branch II. The Executive Branch
III. The Judicial Branch
IV. Relations Among States
V. The Amendment Process
VI. National Debts, National Supremacy, Oaths of Office
VII. Requirements for Ratification

5. Basic Principles of the Constitution
Popular Sovereignty – supreme power rests with and only with the people
Some parts of the Constitution stop popular sovereignty
Electoral College chooses the president, not popular vote
State Legislatures chose the Senate, not popular vote
Later changed to direct popular election by 17th Amendment

6. Basic Principles of the Constitution
Separation of Powers
U.S. uses a presidential government, where the executive and legislative branches are chosen separately
Each branch has its own powers and responsibilities

7. Basic Principles of the Constitution
Checks and Balances:
Each branch is not totally independent of the others
The branches have powers to override each other when necessary

9. Basic Principles of the Constitution
Federalism
The national government is given certain powers by the Constitution
Whatever is left is a power for the states to use

10. Article V - Formal Amendment Process
Step 1 – Must Be Proposed (happens at the national level)
Step 2 – Must Be Ratified (approved at the state level)
This is a reflection of federalism

11. 2 Ways to Propose an Amendment
1. 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress
All 27 Amendments were proposed this way
2. Constitutional Convention requested by 2/3 of the states
Has not ever been used

12. 2 Ways to Ratify an Amendment
1. 3/4 of state legislatures approve it
26 of the 27 Amendments were ratified this way
2. 3/4 of conventions called by the states approve it
Only the 21st Amendment was ratified this way

13. The First Ten Amendments…

14. The Bill of Rights
These are awesome!

15. The 1st Amendment Freedom of Religion Freedom of Speech
Establishment Clause – government cannot establish a religion
Free Exercise Clause – government cannot prohibit you from practicing religion
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of the Press
Right to Assembly
Right to Petition

16. The 2nd Amendment
The Right to Bear Arms
Not the Right to Bare Arms

17. The 3rd Amendment
No Quartering of Soldiers in Times of Peace

18. The 4th Amendment
Protection Against Unreasonable Search and Seizure

19. The 5th Amendment
No Double Jeopardy (Can’t be charged with the same crime twice)
Protection against self-incrimination
Guarantee of Due Process of Law

20. The 6th Amendment: rights in a criminal trial
Right to a Criminal Trial by Jury
Trial must be speedy, public
Must be in the state where the crime was committed
Right to legal counsel
Right to call witnesses favorable to the defendant

21. The 7th Amendment: rights in a civil trial
Right to a Civil Trial by Jury
Civil – not criminal, typically a lawsuit for money or to repeal a government action

22. The 8th Amendment
Protection Against Cruel and Unusual Punishment

23. The 9th Amendment Rights Retained by the People
In other words, just because a right isn’t listed here in the Constitution doesn’t mean that people don’t have that right

24. The 10th Amendment Powers Reserved for the States
All powers that are not given to the national government are reserved for the states

25. Informal Amendments
The vast majority of changes to the Constitution have not changed the words in the Constitution