1. Knowledge Connections
Vocabulary 
Constitution
Term
Definition
Knowledge Connections
Picture

2. What is the purpose of a constitution?
Essential Question
What is the purpose of a constitution?

3. An agreement between the government and the people
Why do we need a constitution?
Enlightenment thinkers believed strong in a SOCIAL CONTRACT
An agreement between the government and the people
A CONSTITUTION sets the terms of that agreement
A plan of government

4. Here’s where they got their ideas from:
How did we know what to put in it?
In the United States, JAMES MADISON led the writing of the U.S. Constitution
The writings of ancient Greece and Rome
English democracy
Ideas of Enlightenment philosophers
Here’s where they got their ideas from:

5. Does it have to be written?
A constitution does NOT have to be written
UNWRITTEN CONSTITUTIONS are collections of laws, traditions, and court case decisions that develop over time
ENGLAND uses documents such as:
English Bill of Rights
Magna Carta
to establish the rules of their society

6. Don’t some countries have written ones?
Most nations have WRITTEN CONSTITUTIONS
The United States Constitution (written in 1787) is the oldest written constitution in effect today

7. What is the purpose of a constitution?
A constitution (written or unwritten) serves several major purposes
It defines the powers and duties of the government
It is the supreme law of the land
It states the ideals shared by the people
It establishes the structure of the government

8. How do we know what it’s supposed to do?
Most constitutions also have include a PREAMBLE
An the introduction stating purposes of the government
The Preamble to the United States Constitution states that the government’s purpose is to:
Form a better society
Establish justice
Ensure peace
Provide for defense
Promote general well being
Secure freedom to all generations

9. What is the purpose of a constitution?
Essential Question
What is the purpose of a constitution?

10. WRITTEN CONSTITUTIONS UNWRITTEN CONSTITUTIONS