BC (Before Constitution)
July 4th, 1776 and Thomas Jefferson
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted and who wrote it?
A democratic system of government where the people rule
What is democracy?
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution
What is the Bill of Rights?
A change to a legal document
What is an amendment?
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution
The Bill of Rights
American Colonists were not receiving their basic rights and they were being overly taxed.
Why did the Americans want independence from Britain?
Everyone, including government officials must follow the law
What is Rule of Law?
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
What are the three alienable rights affirmed by the Declaration of Independence?
2/3 majority vote in both the House of Reps and the Senate
How do amendments get a proposal?
An introduction that states the purpose of a document
What is a Preamble?
A central government document that had no power to tax or enforce the laws
What is the Articles of Confederation?
A written plan for government
What is Constitution?
Women, enslaved people, and minorities
Ratification of the Constitution is decided by the States
Ratification of a state constitution is decided by the voters of that state
How is an amendment to a State Constitution different than a ratification to the US Constitution?
The government is not all-powerful and must do only those things the people have given it the power to do
Idea that government authority comes from people who have agreed to be governed
What is Popular Sovereignty?
Citizens give authority to the government in exchange for the protection of their rights
What is Consent of the Governed?
The portion concerning slavery
What portion of the Declaration of Independence was removed before the delegates signed?
By legislatures in 3/4ths of the States
How do amendments to the Constitution get ratified?
Citizens elect public office holders to make laws and conduct government on the citizen's behalf
Representative government
Everyone, including a king, is subject to the law
All Englishmen have basic rights and freedom
What are the two ideas from the Magna Carta that influenced the Constitution?
An Enlightenment philosopher who heavily influenced Thomas Jefferson and his writing of the Declaration of Independence
Because American colonists were not receiving their basic rights or fair treatment as British citizens. They were being overly taxed and did not have any representation in Parliament.
Why did many Americans want independence from Great Britain?
Because making sure that the amendment is truly favored by the American people is important. A change to the Constitution is a very serious thing.
Why is the amendment process so complicated?
All men are created equal
All people have basic rights that cannot be taken away
The government's purpose is to protect the natural rights of its people
When the government does not protect the rights of its people, the people have the right to change or abolish the government