1. The Constitution of the United States
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6

2. Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States
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. Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States
Lesson overview
Why is the Constitution of the United States a remarkable document?
What is the Preamble to the Constitution?
What are the articles of the Constitution?
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

4. Lesson overview (cont’d)
What is the role of the legislative branch of government?
What is the role of the executive branch of government?
What is the role of the judicial branch of government?
What is the subject of Article IV of the Constitution?
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

5. Lesson overview (cont’d)
What is the subject of Article V of the Constitution?
What is the subject of Article VI of the Constitution?
What is the subject of Article VII of the Constitution?
What are the amendments to the Constitution?
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

6. Lesson overview (cont’d)
What are the three parts of the Constitution?
How do the articles of the Constitution compare to the Articles of Confederation?
How is the Constitution amended?
How is the Constitution interpreted?
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

7. Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States
Quick Write
How do you think the Constitution of the United States protects your rights and freedom as an American citizen? Write down five ways the Constitution protects you.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

8. 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

9. Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States
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

10. What is the Preamble to the Constitution?
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

11. What are the articles of the Constitution?
The Constitution contains seven divisions called articles.
Each article covers a general topic.
Article I creates the legislative branch.
Article II creates the executive branch.
Article III creates the judiciary branch.
Most articles are divided into sections.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

12. What is the role of the legislative branch of government?
The legislative branch of government was created by Article I.
Topics of Article I include
Representation
Electing senators
Impeachment
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

13. What is the role of the legislative branch of government? (cont’d)
Impeach—to accuse government officials of wrongdoing, put them on trial, and, if necessary, remove them from office
Senate has sole power to try impeachments.
Two-thirds must vote for conviction.
Conviction results in removal from office.
Person cannot hold another U.S. government office.
If convicted, person can be held liable under law.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

14. What is the role of the legislative branch of government? (cont’d)
Congressional salaries
Where tax laws begin
How bills become laws
Powers of Congress
Elastic clause
Habeas corpus
Limitations on states
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

15. What is the role of the executive branch of government?
The executive branch of government was created by Article II.
Topics of Article II include
Change of method for electing a president
Qualifications for office
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

16. What is the role of the executive branch of government? (cont’d)
Vacancies—procedures for presidential succession
Salary
Cabinet
Presidential powers
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

17. What is the role of the judicial branch of government?
Judicial refers to courts.
The judicial branch of government was created by Article III.
Topics of Article III include
Setting up the Supreme Court
Providing for other federal courts
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

18. What is the role of the judicial branch of government? (cont’d)
Judiciary has two different systems of courts.
Federal courts: Powers derive from U.S. Constitution and federal laws.
State courts: Powers derive from state constitutions and laws.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

19. What is the subject of Article IV of the Constitution?
Topic of Article IV is relations among the states.
Relationship of states to one another and to national government
Admission of new states
Guarantee that national government will protect states
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

20. What is the subject of Article IV of the Constitution? (cont’d)
Aristotle defined government by asking “Who governs?”
Autocracy—ruled by one person
Oligarchy—ruled by a few
Democracy—ruled by many
Republic—a form of democracy
Elected representatives make laws and conduct government.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

21. What is the subject of Article V of the Constitution?
Topic of Article V is the amendment process.
How the Constitution can be amended, or changed
All 27 amendments were proposed by a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

22. What is the subject of Article VI of the Constitution?
Topic of Article VI is national supremacy.
Supremacy clause establishes that the Constitution, laws passed by Congress, and treaties of the U.S. will be the “supreme Law of the Land.”
Constitution and federal laws prevail when in conflict with state laws.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

23. What is the subject of Article VII of the Constitution?
Topic of Article VII is the ratification of the Constitution.
The Constitution would take effect after it was ratified by nine states.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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

41. What are the three parts of the Constitution? (cont’d)
Article IV—Relations among the states
Article V—How Constitution can be amended
Article VI—Constitution as the “supreme Law of the Land”
Article VII—Constitution would take effect after ratified by nine states
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

42. Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States
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

43. Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States
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

44. Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States
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

45. 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

46. 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

47. 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
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

48. Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States
Lesson review
The U.S. Constitution is one of the first written constitutions in modern history.
It is a flexible and strong document that has guided this nation’s leaders for over 200 years.
The three parts of the Constitution are the Preamble, the 7 articles, and the 27 amendments.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

49. Lesson review (cont’d)
The Preamble introduces the Constitution, tells why it was written, and states that the power of government comes from the people.
The seven articles explain how the national government is to work.
The first three articles describe each branch of government; the other four articles address more general matters.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

50. Lesson review (cont’d)
Article I gives the legislative branch (Congress) all lawmaking authority.
Article I also specifies Congress’s powers, which include collecting taxes, regulating foreign and interstate trade, coining money, and declaring war.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

51. Lesson review (cont’d)
Article II gives the executive branch, headed by the president and vice president, authority to enforce the law.
Article II also describes the president’s powers and duties, such as commanding the Armed Forces, dealing with leaders of other countries, and appointing certain government officials.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

52. Lesson review (cont’d)
Article III gives the judicial branch the authority to interpret the laws and see that they are fairly applied.
Article III also lists the powers of the federal courts, including the Supreme Court, and describes the kinds of cases they may hear.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

53. Lesson review (cont’d)
Article IV deals with relations among the states and between the states and the federal government.
It says that states must respect each other’s laws, court decisions, and records.
It promises that the federal government will protect and defend the states.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

54. Lesson review (cont’d)
Article V describes the process for amending the Constitution.
Article VI establishes the Constitution as the “supreme Law of the Land” and says that federal law prevails over state laws or court decisions.
Article VII says that the Constitution would take effect after nine states had ratified it.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

55. Lesson review (cont’d)
The articles of the Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation.
The amendments are changes to the Constitution.
Only 27 amendments have been ratified in our nation’s history.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

56. Lesson review (cont’d)
The first ten amendments, added in 1791, are known as the Bill of Rights.
Changes have also taken place to the Constitution through interpretation.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

57. Lesson review (cont’d)
Some people believe in a loose interpretation of the Constitution; others believe in a strict interpretation.
The Supreme Court has the final authority in interpreting the Constitution.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

58. Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States
Summary
Why is the Constitution of the United States a remarkable document?
What is the Preamble to the Constitution?
What are the articles of the Constitution?
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

59. Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States
Summary
What is the role of the legislative branch of government?
What is the role of the executive branch of government?
What is the role of the judicial branch of government?
What is the subject of Article IV of the Constitution?
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

60. Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States
Summary (cont’d)
What is the subject of Article V of the Constitution?
What is the subject of Article VI of the Constitution?
What is the subject of Article VII of the Constitution?
What are the amendments to the Constitution?
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

61. Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States
Summary (cont’d)
What are the three parts of the Constitution?
How do the articles of the Constitution compare to the Articles of Confederation?
How is the Constitution amended?
How is the Constitution interpreted?
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States

62. Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States
Next
Done— The Constitution of the United States
Next— The Bill of Rights
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 3, Chapter 6, The Constitution of the United States