1. Components 1.The Original Document 2. Bill of Rights 3. Amendments
The US Constitution
Components
1.The Original Document
2. Bill of Rights
3. Amendments

2. The Constitution
This remarkable document has protected the fundamental and changing rights of Americans for over two centuries.
Came due to issues in the Articles of Confederation and economic issues of the times along with concerns over defense.
And a desire for people-centered government.

3. The Original Document Preamble Goals and Philosophy
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Articles
Responsibilities
Duties
3 Branches
Limits
Bill of Rights
Additional Amendments

4. Preamble
We the people of the United States, In order to form a more perfect union that would benefit all
Establish justice
Ensure domestic tranquility
Promote the general welfare
Secure the blessings of our liberty to ourselves and our posterity
Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America

5. Preamble Meaning
We want a better, more efficient system of government than was possible under the Article of Confederation
We want all people treated fairly under the same laws
We want to ensure an adequate defense against those who would be our enemies.

6. Preamble Meaning
We want to ensure peaceful existence within the United States.
We want to keep our freedom and certain that our children and our children’s children have those same freedoms.
Help people live happy free lives.

7. Articles
Articles are the duties and responsibilities of the Federal Government.
Art1 ---people’s part of the Govt
Art. 2---The President
Art. 3 The Supreme Court
Art. 4 relations among the States
Art. 5 Amending the Document
Art6 and 7 Supremacy Clause and the ratification process

8. Bill of Rights First 10 Amendments
“a BOR are what he people are entitled too”----Thomas Jefferson
The BOR was born out of distrust for government, kings, tyrants and abusive governments.
James Madison introduced the first set of Constitutional Amendments by proposing 80 issues they were pared down to 10.

9. Bill of Rights
The government could not violate the Rights of Individuals to:
Speak Freely Publish Freely
Assemble Peacefully Bear Arms
Practice their own religion
Not testify against themselves
Subject to unreasonable search and seizure
Have jury trials
State retention of some power

10. Additional Amendments
13th 14th 15th---Civil War Amendments
17th—election of Senators
18th---Prohibition
20th—voting
Others too
Proves it is a flexible Document

11. Six Basic Principles The Constitution---the Supreme Law of the land is built on six basic principles
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism

12. Popular Sovereignty Government authority comes from the people
The preamble spells this out:
WE THE PEOPLE
Majority decides
Ensures government serves the people
No one comes to office due to birth
ex. monarchy

13. Limited Government How the government must act
Article 1 sec. 9 Writs of Habeas Corpus
Bills of Attainder Ex post facto
Constitutionalism

14. Separation of Powers 3 Branches of Government
The first 3 articles spell this out
Legislative/Executive/Judicial
Explains their responsibility to the People
No portion of gov’t gets too powerful
Prevents concentration of power or abuse of power.

15. Checks and Balances Allows branches to restrain each other’s power
Watchdog element of government
Veto/power of the purse/impeachment

16. Judicial Review Determination of constitutionality Marbury v. Madison
Ultimate interpretation of the document and arbitrator of conflicts between branches of government.
Supremacy Clause
Elastic Clause
Rule of Law

17. Federalism
Allows and balances power between national and state governments
Delineates power
Reserved Powers
Delegated Powers
Division of power