The SUPREME or HIGHEST law in the United States

What is the Constitution?  The highest or the supreme law of the United States  Written in 1787  All 13 states agreed with it The start of the Constitution is called the PREAMBLE “WE THE PEOPLE”

What does the Constitution Do?  Gives rights to citizens and non-citizens  We will go into the rights next

Non-citizen rights Drive a car Own a home or land Go to school Have a job

Rights of Citizens  VOTE! ! !  Work for U.S.A. Government  Bring relatives to U.S.A.  Travel with U.S. Passport

Constitution sets up the U.S. Government U.S. government has THREE (3) parts Each part is called a BRANCH of Government

WHAT IF THE CONSTITUTION NEEDS TO BE CHANGED? A CHANGE TO THE CONSTITUTION IS CALLED AN AMENDMENT A CHANGE TO THE CONSTITUTION IS CALLED AN AMENDMENT THERE ARE TWENTY- SEVEN (27) AMENDMENTS TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION THERE ARE TWENTY- SEVEN (27) AMENDMENTS TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION

Amendment to VOTE Not everyone was allowed to vote Not everyone was allowed to vote African Americans African Americans Native Americans Native Americans Women Women Different amendments allowed them to vote Different amendments allowed them to vote

Bill of Rights First (1 st ) Ten (10) Amendments to the Constitution First (1 st ) Ten (10) Amendments to the Constitution Tells people their rights Tells people their rights Can NOT be taken away Can NOT be taken away

First (1 st ) Amendment to the Constitution Freedom to Assemble Freedom to Assemble Freedom of Speech Freedom of Speech Freedom of the Press Freedom of the Press Freedom of Religion Freedom of Religion

Questions???? How many amendments are there? What are the rights of NON-citizens What are some rights of CITIZENS