The Constitution
Is the Constitution a speech or a document?
A document
What are the first 3 words of the Preamble?
"We the People"
The 1st Amendment talks about our freedoms.
Name 3
Speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition
What are the 3 branches of the United States government?
Executive, Legislative, and Judicial
Amendment 6 gives us the right to a "speedy and public trail"
What does that mean?
The trial must be quick and available for everyone to see
When was the Constitution written?
1787
What does "Establish Justice" mean?
Make sure we have equality
Amendment 2 gives us the right the "bear arms"
What does that mean?
to carry or own a gun
What is one thing the executive branch does?
The President signs or vetoes bills to become laws
The President is the Commander of the Military
The President greets world leaders
Amendment 7 talks about "civil cases"
What are those and do people go to jail or pay money if they are guilty?
Person versus person or business
People pay money they don't go to jail if guilty
Why do we have a Constitution?
To state the plan and laws for the United States of America
What does "Ensure domestic tranquility" mean?
Make sure we have peace
Amendment 3 gives us the right of "housing soldiers"
What does that mean?
We can say yes or no to letting soldiers stay in our homes
What is one thing the Legislative Branch does?
Creates new bills that may become laws
Makes the budget
Amendment 8 talks about "unfair bail and fine" and "cruel or unusual punishments"
What does it mean?
You can't pay huge amounts of money to get out of jail and they can't treat you badly
What kind of power does the Constitution say we have?
Direct Democracy, Monarchy, Communism, or Republic
A Republic
What does "Provide for the common defense" mean?
Support the military
Amendment 4 states that police cannot "search or seize" our property without a warrant.
What does that mean?
They can't look through or take our things without a government paper
What is one thing the Judicial Branch does?
Makes sure laws are constitutional
Works in the court to lead trials
Helps people with documents (marriage, divorce, citizenship, adoption)
Amendment 9 tells us that we have rights even if they aren't written in the Constitution.
What are 2 rights you have that aren't written in the Constitution?
We can get tattoos in America
People can watch movies they like
People can learn a new language
People can change their hair style
Name one of the Founding Fathers of the Constitution.
Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, John Jay, James Madison, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin
What does "Promote the general welfare" mean?
Make sure everyone is cared for
Amendment 5 states the right to remain silent.
What does that mean?
We don't have to say if we're innocent or guilty
Why do we have checks and balances?
So the branches have equal power
Amendment 10 states that "rights not given to the national government are rights kept by the states"
What does this mean?
The national (federal) government has power and the states have power...the people also have power (voting)