U.S. Constitution

Creating a Constitution

Video

Annenberg Classroom

Contents of the

U.S. ConstitutionThe Preamble Article 1: The Congress (Senate and House of Rep) Article 2: The Executive (President) Article 3: The Judiciary (Supreme Ct. and Lower Cts.) Article 4: The States Article 5: Process to Amend the Constitution Article 6: Constitution is Supreme Law of the Land Article 7: Process to Ratify this Constitution

Amendments 1-10 (Bill of Rights) Amendments 11-27

10 Pages

27 Amendmentsin 224 Years

Read the ConstitutionRead the Constitution

House CommitteesAgriculture

AppropriationsArmed Services

BudgetEducationEnergy

FinanceHealth

Homeland SecurityJidiciary

Nat. ResourcesScience

Small BusinessTransportation

Veterans AffairsEtc.

Senate CommitteesAgriculture

AppropriationsArmed Services

BudgetEducationEnergy

BankingHealth

Homeland SecurityJidiciary

Nat. ResourcesScience

CommerceTransportation

Veterans AffairsEtc.

Executive DepartmentsState Dept.

Treasury Dept.Defense Dept.Justice Dept.Interior Dept.

Agriculture Dept.Labor Dept.Health Dept.

Housing Dept.Education Dept.

Homeland Security Dept.Veterans Affairs Dept.

Lower Federal Courts

Circuit Courts (12)

District Courts (94)

The U.S. Government Organization

A system of

Checks & Balances

is built into the structure.

A system of

Checks & Balances

is built into the structure.

Native Americans

Native Americans in the

Original US Constitution

Indian Tribes were ‘independent, sovereign nations’ before Europeans arrives, and they still were after the United States was created.

Slavery

• Numeration Clause (Art 1, Sec 2) counted slaves as 3/5 of a person.

• Importation Clause (Art 1, Sec 9) said importing slaves could not be prohibited prior to 1808

• Fugitive Slave Clause (Art 4, Sec 2) said escaped slaves captured in a non-slave state must be returned to the slave owner

Voting Rightsleft up to each state

Most StatesWho Could Vote?• Citizen• White• Male• 21• Property Owner

In the first presidential

election of 1789, an average of 6%

of the people were eligible to cast a

vote.

Naturalization Act of 1790Who Could Become a US Citizen?

The Essential Elementsof Democracy

Just One View

How did the original

US Constitution

measure up to these

criteria ?

The Original US Constitution

Components of Democracy “We the People…” (made a bold philosophical statement)

Established a constitutional, representative, democratic form of government

Entitled some people to vote for their representatives

Created a system for holding representatives accountable

Separated and placed checks on the government’s exercise of power

Read the ConstitutionRead the Constitution

The Original US Constitution

Limitations on Democracy Document debated and written by elite white males Allowed and supported the practice of slavery Senators selected by state legislatures, not directly by the people President selected by Electoral College, not directly by the people Judges selected by President & Senate, not directly by the people Voting rights limited to white, male property owners / taxpayers Provided little protection for minorities from the will of the

majority Made no provisions for publicly-funded, mass education

Read the ConstitutionRead the Constitution

Almost immediately…Amendments 1-10…in 1791

Bill of Rights1. Freedom of religion, speech,

press, assembly, petition2. Right of people to bear arms3. Soldiers shall not be quartered

in private homes4. Right to be secure in their

persons, houses, papers, etc., and against unreasonable searches

5. Right to notice of charges, protection from double jeopardy, testifying against oneself, and punishment without due process of law

6. Right to speedy trial by jury, to confront witnesses, to counsel

7. Right to trial by jury8. Protection against excessive

bail, and cruel and unusual punishment

9. These stated rights do not mean that people could not have other rights, as well

10. Powers not given to the US in the Constitution are reserved for the States

How have changes or amendments to the U.S. Constitution

Impacted Democracy ?

Have amendments to the US Constitution

restricted or expandeddemocracy?

Amendments 11-27Amendments 11-27

Constitutional Amendments 11-2711. Clearly defines original jurisdiction of

Supreme Court (1795)

12. Electoral College for selecting President / VicePresident (1804)

13. Abolished slavery (1865)

14. Established citizenship, representation, and loyalty (1868)

• Gave suffrage to all males of age, regardless of race (1870)

• Established Federal Income Tax system (1913)

12. Established popular vote for Senators (1913)

13. Prohibition (1919)

19. Gave women right to vote (1920)

20. Terms of office for Legislature, Presidential succession (1933)

21. Ended Prohibition (1933)

22. Terms limits for President (1951)

23. Gave D.C. electoral votes (1961)

24. Ended poll taxes (1964)

25. Further clarifies Presidential succession (1967)

21. Gave right to vote to all citizens 18 years of age, and older (1971)

22. Legislators cannot give themselves pay raises in an election year (1992)

How have changes or amendments to the U.S. Constitution

Impacted Democracy ?

Have amendments to the US Constitution

restricted or expandeddemocracy?

Amendments 11-27Amendments 11-27