Constitution Review This is what will be on the test next Wednesday!

What you’ll need to know for the test: 1.The Preamble Of The Constitution 1.Branches Of The Government 2.The Bill Of Rights

The Preamble The Preamble is the opening statement to the U.S Constitution. It basically explains the reasons the delegates created our form of government, in order to replace the Articles of Confederation. The preamble states:

“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Branches Of The Government Delegates at the Constitutional Convention wanted to divide the power within the federal government. They did not want these powers to be controlled by just one man or one group. To avoid the risk of dictatorship or tyranny, the group divided the new government into three parts (Branches). They include:

The 3 Branches Legislative Branch - The branch of the government that passes laws. -Headed by Congress (Senate & House of Representatives). Executive Branch – The branch of the government that carries out the laws. – Headed by The President Of The United States. Judicial Branch – The branch of government that decides if the laws are carried out fairly. – Headed by The Supreme Court.

The Bill Of Rights Some delegates of the Constitution Convention, would not approve the Constitution until it included a bill of rights listing the individual rights of every citizen. The Bill of Rights are the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution. They include:

The First 10 Amendments 1. The First Amendment protects the rights of every American. It defines the freedoms of religion, speech, and press. 2. The Second Amendment guarantees Americans the right to bear arms (Own guns). 3. The Third Amendment prevents the government from forcing citizens to shelter soldiers in their homes. 4. The Fourth Amendment protects the privacy of American citizens. It prevents, unreasonable searches of a person's property. 5. The Fifth Amendment guarantees the right to a fair trial. It also protects someone from testifying against him/herself under oath in court. 6. The Sixth Amendment provides the right to a speedy trial. 7. The Seventh Amendment guarantees the right to a trial by jury court cases. 8. The Eighth Amendment prohibits unreasonable bail or fines & cruel and unusual punishment. 9. The Ninth Amendment recognizes that Americans have rights that are not listed in the Constitution. 10. The Tenth Amendment says that the powers not given to the United States government by the Constitution belong to the states or to the people.