Quick Facts
In 1776, America declared independence from England, which led to the ____________________?
Revolutionary War
Define in your own words:
"Justice"
Fairness for everyone.
Everyone having the same rules.
What is a Constitution?
A set of rules or laws that says how a country will be run.
Explain why these words are important:
"In order to form a MORE PERFECT UNION"
They knew what they had was NOT perfect and that it could be better. Putting it in the preamble made it clear that becoming more perfect would be something we would always have to work toward.
Start reading and fill in what's missing:
"We the ___________________________________
________________________________ Union,...."
"... People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect... "
The first attempt at a Constitution was called the Articles of ________________?
Confederation.
Define in your own words:
"Domestic Tranquility"
Peace in our own country.
What is a Preamble?
Explain in your own words:
"Provide for the common defence"
How does the government do that?
Make a plan to keep everyone in the country safe from other countries or people in other countries who want to hurt Americans - we do that with the military.
Start reading and fill in what's missing:
"... in order to form ________________________
______________________________ Defence,..."
"... a More Perfect Union. Establish Justice, Insure Domestic Tranquility, Provide for the Common... "
What is a delegate?
One person who is chosen to speak for a group of people.
Define in your own words:
"Common Defence"
Defending all of the people in the country, not just the rich or powerful.
Keeping everyone in the country safe and protected.
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
It wasn't strong enough to unify the individual states into one country. The government didn't have enough power to build an army to protect the whole country or enough money through taxes to start doing things to help the whole country.
Explain in your own words:
"Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity"
Make sure the good things about being free are protected now and also for everyone who comes after us. For our children, their children, their children, and their children.
"provide for the Common _____________________
_______________________________, do ordain..."
"... Defence, Promote the General Welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity..."
Gouverneur Morris
Define in your own words:
"General Welfare"
Give at least one example from society.
Things that make everyone's lives better or easier or safer.
Examples: Building roads, public libraries, clean water, public schools, fire stations
How was the Constitution written?
Each colony sent delegates to Philidelphia, Pennsylvania to debate and decide what the laws of our country should be - those decisions became the Constitution.
Why is the Preamble important?
Start reading and fill in what's missing:
".. to ourselves ____________________________
_______________________________ America."
"... and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of ..."
In what year was the Preamble written?
1787
Define in your own words:
"The Blessings of Liberty"
The good things about being free.
At first, the Preamble started, "We the people of New York, Virginia, South Carolina, Pennsylvania...." and on and on for all 13 colonies.
What did they change it to and why?
"We the People of the United States."
To make a statement that we were ONE NATION now, not just a collection of independent states
In your own words - What is the Preamble saying?
Many correct answers....
What is your favorite part of the text?
Why?
Many answers.