Warm Up: What's Your Freedom?

Take a few moments to think about what the word "freedom" means to you.

1. What are some freedoms you enjoy every day?
   
   
   
2. Why do you think it's important for a country to protect the freedoms of its citizens?
   
   
   
3. Can there be too much freedom? Explain your thoughts.
   
   
   
   
   
   

Decoding the Constitution: Your Guide to American Governance

The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the land. It is the blueprint for the American government and the foundation of our individual rights. Adopted on September 17, 1787, by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, it was later ratified by the states and officially went into effect in 1789.

The Preamble: Setting the Stage

The Constitution begins with a powerful introduction known as the Preamble. It outlines the purposes and guiding principles of the document and the government it establishes:

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, 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."

The Articles: The Structure of Government

The main body of the Constitution is divided into seven Articles, each detailing a specific aspect of the government:

Article I: The Legislative Branch

This article establishes the legislative branch, primarily the Congress, which is composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. It outlines their powers, responsibilities, and the process of making laws. Key powers include the ability to declare war, coin money, and regulate commerce.

Article II: The Executive Branch

This article defines the executive branch, headed by the President and Vice President. It outlines their roles, powers, and responsibilities, including serving as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, making treaties, and appointing federal officials.

Article III: The Judicial Branch

This article establishes the judicial branch, consisting of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts. It outlines their jurisdiction and the power of judicial review, which allows courts to interpret laws and determine their constitutionality.

Article IV: The States

This article describes the relationship between the states and the federal government, and among the states themselves. It includes provisions for full faith and credit (states must respect the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state) and the extradition of fugitives.

Article V: Amendment Process

This article explains how the Constitution can be changed or amended. It requires a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress or a two-thirds vote of state legislatures to propose an amendment, and a three-fourths vote of the states to ratify it. This process ensures the Constitution is adaptable but also stable.

Article VI: Supremacy of National Law

This article establishes the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties as the supreme law of the land, meaning they take precedence over state laws when there is a conflict.

Article VII: Ratification

This article details the process by which the Constitution was to be ratified by the states.

The Amendments: Protecting Rights and Adapting to Change

Since its ratification, the Constitution has been amended 27 times. The first ten amendments are particularly significant and are known as the Bill of Rights.

The Bill of Rights (First Ten Amendments)

These amendments were added in 1791 to guarantee fundamental individual rights and freedoms, addressing concerns that the original Constitution did not adequately protect citizens from government overreach.

• Amendment I: Protects freedom of speech, religion, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the government.
• Amendment II: Guarantees the right of the people to keep and bear arms.
• Amendment III: Prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes without consent.
• Amendment IV: Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures and requires warrants.
• Amendment V: Protects against self-incrimination (right to remain silent), double jeopardy, and guarantees due process of law.
• Amendment VI: Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, and the right to an attorney.
• Amendment VII: Guarantees the right to a jury trial in certain civil cases.
• Amendment VIII: Prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.
• Amendment IX: States that the enumeration of certain rights in the Constitution does not mean that other rights not listed are not retained by the people.
• Amendment X: Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or to the people.

Other Key Amendments

• Amendment XIII (1865): Abolished slavery.
• Amendment XIV (1868): Granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S., including former enslaved people, and guaranteed equal protection under the law.
• Amendment XV (1870): Granted African American men the right to vote.
• Amendment XIX (1920): Granted women the right to vote.
• Amendment XXVI (1971): Lowered the voting age to 18.

Constitutional Scavenger Hunt

Directions: Use the provided reading, Decoding the Constitution, to answer the following questions. Write your answers in the space provided.

1. What is the primary purpose of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution?
   
   
   

2. Which Article of the Constitution establishes the Legislative Branch? What are the two main bodies that make up this branch?
   
   
   

3. Who heads the Executive Branch, and which Article outlines their powers?
   
   
   

4. Which Article explains how the Constitution can be changed or amended?
   
   
   

5. What does Article VI declare about the Constitution and federal laws?
   
   
   

6. The first ten amendments are collectively known as what?
   
   
   

7. Which amendment protects your freedom of speech, religion, and the press?
   
   
   

8. If you are accused of a crime, which amendment guarantees your right to a speedy and public trial and an attorney?
   
   
   

9. What protection does the Fourth Amendment offer citizens?
   
   
   

10. Which amendment abolished slavery?
    
    
    

11. What significant right did the Nineteenth Amendment grant?
    
    
    

12. In your own words, explain why the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

Constitutional Scavenger Hunt Answer Key

1. What is the primary purpose of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution?

   • Answer: The Preamble outlines the purposes and guiding principles of the Constitution and the government it establishes, such as forming a more perfect Union, establishing Justice, and securing the Blessings of Liberty.

2. Which Article of the Constitution establishes the Legislative Branch? What are the two main bodies that make up this branch?

   • Answer: Article I establishes the Legislative Branch, which is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

3. Who heads the Executive Branch, and which Article outlines their powers?

   • Answer: The President heads the Executive Branch, and Article II outlines their powers.

4. Which Article explains how the Constitution can be changed or amended?

   • Answer: Article V explains the amendment process.

5. What does Article VI declare about the Constitution and federal laws?

   • Answer: Article VI establishes the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties as the supreme law of the land, taking precedence over state laws.

6. The first ten amendments are collectively known as what?

   • Answer: The Bill of Rights.

7. Which amendment protects your freedom of speech, religion, and the press?

   • Answer: Amendment I (the First Amendment).

8. If you are accused of a crime, which amendment guarantees your right to a speedy and public trial and an attorney?

   • Answer: Amendment VI (the Sixth Amendment).

9. What protection does the Fourth Amendment offer citizens?

   • Answer: The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures and requires warrants.

10. Which amendment abolished slavery?

    • Answer: Amendment XIII (the Thirteenth Amendment).

11. What significant right did the Nineteenth Amendment grant?

    • Answer: The Nineteenth Amendment granted women the right to vote.

12. In your own words, explain why the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution.

    • Answer: (Student responses may vary, but should include points like: The Bill of Rights was added to guarantee fundamental individual rights and freedoms, addressing concerns that the original Constitution did not adequately protect citizens from government overreach. It ensures protection from potential government abuses of power.)

Cool Down: Constitutional Takeaway

Before you leave, take a moment to reflect on today's lesson.

In one sentence, write down the most important thing you learned or realized about the U.S. Constitution and your rights today.