Annotated Constitution Excerpts

Welcome, constitutional detectives! Below you will find important excerpts from the U.S. Constitution. Read them carefully and pay close attention to the annotations (notes) that explain difficult words or ideas. These are your clues to understanding America's supreme law!

The Preamble

"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."

• We the People: This means the power of the government comes from ordinary citizens, not a king or a small group of leaders.
• Form a more perfect Union: To create a better, stronger country than before.
• Establish Justice: To make sure everyone is treated fairly under the law.
• Insure domestic Tranquility: To keep peace and order within the country.
• Provide for the common defence: To protect the country from attacks.
• Promote the general Welfare: To work for the good of all people.
• Secure the Blessings of Liberty: To protect freedom for themselves and future generations.

Article I: The Legislative Branch (Congress)

Section 1. All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

• Legislative Powers: The power to make laws.
• Vested: Given to.
• Congress: The part of the government that makes laws, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Section 8. The Congress shall have Power... To declare War... To raise and support Armies... To provide and maintain a Navy... To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers...

• Declare War: Only Congress can officially say the U.S. is at war.
• Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause): This allows Congress to make any laws needed to carry out its other powers, even if those specific laws aren't listed word-for-word.

Article II: The Executive Branch (The President)

Section 1. The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.

• Executive Power: The power to carry out and enforce laws.
• Vested: Given to.

Section 2. The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States... He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties...

• Commander in Chief: The President is the supreme leader of the military.
• Advice and Consent of the Senate: The Senate must approve certain presidential actions, like treaties and appointments.

Article III: The Judicial Branch (The Courts)

Section 1. The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.

• Judicial Power: The power to interpret laws and administer justice.
• Vested: Given to.
• Supreme Court: The highest court in the United States.
• Inferior Courts: Lower courts, established by Congress.

The Amendments (The Bill of Rights & Beyond)

Amendment I (Freedom of Speech, Religion, Press, Assembly, Petition)

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

• Establishment of religion: The government cannot create an official religion.
• Free exercise thereof: People are free to practice their religion (or no religion) as they choose.
• Abridging: Limiting or reducing.
• Redress of grievances: To ask the government to fix problems or injustices.

Amendment IV (Searches and Seizures)

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated...

• Secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects: Protects people and their belongings from government intrusion.
• Unreasonable searches and seizures: Generally, the government needs a good reason (probable cause) and a warrant to search you or your property.

Amendment V (Due Process, Self-Incrimination, Double Jeopardy)

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury... nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law...

• Grand Jury: A group of citizens who decide if there is enough evidence to officially accuse someone of a serious crime.
• Double Jeopardy: You cannot be tried twice for the same crime after being found innocent.
• Compelled... to be a witness against himself (Self-incrimination): You cannot be forced to testify against yourself (the right to remain silent).
• Due process of law: The government must follow fair procedures and laws when it takes away someone's life, liberty, or property.

Amendment VIII (Cruel and Unusual Punishment)

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

• Excessive bail/fines: The amount of money to get out of jail or penalties for crimes cannot be unfairly high.
• Cruel and unusual punishments: Punishments cannot be overly harsh or barbaric.

Amendment XIV (Citizenship, Due Process, Equal Protection)

Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

• Born or naturalized... are citizens: Defines who is a U.S. citizen.
• Privileges or immunities: Fundamental rights of citizens.
• Due process of law: States must also follow fair procedures and laws.
• Equal protection of the laws: States cannot unfairly discriminate against people; everyone must be treated equally under the law.

My Constitutional Interpretation Journal

Now that you've explored excerpts from the U.S. Constitution, it's time to reflect and share your own interpretations. Use this journal to record your thoughts, questions, and insights. Remember, your voice matters in understanding this important document!

Part 1: Initial Reactions & Big Ideas

1. What was the most surprising or interesting thing you learned from reading the Annotated Constitution Excerpts Reading? Why did it stand out to you?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. In your own words, what do you think the main purpose of the U.S. Constitution is?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Diving Deeper into Articles & Amendments

Choose two of the following prompts to answer based on the excerpts you read.

Article I (The Legislative Branch)

• The "Necessary and Proper Clause" (also known as the Elastic Clause) gives Congress the power to make all laws that are "necessary and proper" for carrying out its other powers. Why do you think the Founders included this clause? What are some potential benefits and drawbacks of having such a flexible power?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Article II (The Executive Branch)

• The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the military, but only Congress can declare war. Why is it important to have these powers separated between two different branches of government? What potential problems could arise if one person held both powers?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Article III (The Judicial Branch)

• The Constitution creates a Supreme Court and allows Congress to establish lower courts. Why is an independent judicial branch important in a democracy? How does it help ensure justice?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Amendment I (Freedom of Speech, Religion, Press, Assembly, Petition)

• Out of the five freedoms listed in the First Amendment, which one do you think is the most important for students your age? Explain your reasoning and provide an example of how you use or see this freedom in your daily life.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Amendment IV (Searches and Seizures)

• The Fourth Amendment protects people from "unreasonable searches and seizures." Why is this protection important for individual privacy? Can you think of a situation where this amendment might apply to you or someone you know?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Amendment V (Due Process, Self-Incrimination, Double Jeopardy)

• The Fifth Amendment includes the right to remain silent ("nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself"). Why is this right important when someone is accused of a crime? How does it protect individuals?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Amendment VIII (Cruel and Unusual Punishment)

• The Eighth Amendment protects against "cruel and unusual punishments." What do you think this means in today's society? Are there any punishments you believe should be considered cruel or unusual?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Amendment XIV (Citizenship, Due Process, Equal Protection)

• The Fourteenth Amendment says no state shall "deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." What does "equal protection" mean to you? Why is this amendment particularly important for ensuring fairness for all Americans?