Download Brochure on Constitution

WE THE PEOPLE
of the United States, in
Order to form a more
perfect Union, establish
Justice, insure domestic
U.S. Government Class
Alyssa Shafto
26515 Evergreen Rd
Amherst NE 68812
Phone: 308-627-5941
E-mail: [email protected]
The United
States of
America’s
Constitution
Tranquility, provide for
the common defense,
promote the general
Welfare, and secure the
Blessings of Liberty to
ourselves and our
Posterity, do ordain and
establish this Constitution
for the United States of
America.
U.S. Government
Summer 2013
THE CONSTITUTION
THE BILL OF RIGHTS
The Constitution is divided into 7 Articles that
are divided into individual sections.
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution
are know as the Bill of Rights. It was created
in response to concerns about violations by
the British during the Revolution. The Bill of
Rights spelled out the individual rights of U.S.
citizens.
Article 1 establishes the first of the three
branches of the government, the Legislature.
Article 2 establishes the second of the three
branches of government, the Executive.
Article 3 establishes the last of the three
branches of government, the Judiciary.
The U.S.
Constitution
55 delegates from 12 of the 13 original
states (Rhode Island did not send
delegates) met in Philadelphia in the
summer of 1787. The purpose to create a
new Constitution was to replace the
failing Articles of Confederation. The
U.S. Constitution established America's
national government and fundamental
laws, and guaranteed certain basic rights
for its citizens. It was signed on
September 17, 1787, by delegates to the
Constitutional Convention , presided
over by George Washington. The new
Constitution drafted a plan for a
stronger federal government with three
branches; executive, legislative and
judicial. It also called for a system of
checks and balances to ensure no single
branch would have too much power. The
Constitution has 7 articles and 27
Constitutional Amendments.
Article 4 concerns the states and their
relationship with each other and the federal
government.
Article 5 explains the process of amending, or
changing, the Constitution.
Article 6 concerns the United States itself. First,
it guarantees that the United States under the
Constitution would assume all debts and
contracts entered into by the United States
under the Articles of Confederation.
Article 7 details the method for ratification, or
acceptance, of the Constitution: of the original
13 states in the United States, nine had to accept
the Constitution before it would officially go into
effect.
The First Amendment grants the freedom of
religion, speech, the press, assembly, and the
right to petition the Government for a redress
of grievances.
The Second Amendment gives citizens the
right to bear arms.
The Third Amendment prohibits the
government from quartering troops in private
homes.
The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from
unreasonable search and seizure.
The Fifth Amendment protects people from
being held for committing a crime unless they
are charged, double jeopardy, self
incrimination, and from property being taken
without just compensation.
The Sixth Amendment assures the right a fair
and speedy trial.
The Seventh Amendment provides that civil
cases also be tried by jury.
The Eighth Amendment prohibits excessive
bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual
punishments.
The Ninth Amendment states that the list of
rights granted in the Constitution is not
complete, and that the people retain all rights
not stated.
The Tenth Amendment assigns all powers not
delegated to the United States, or prohibited
to the states, to either the states or to the
people.