Name: Date: Period: Topic 4: The Constitution Notes Chp 4: The Constitution 1
Objectives about The Constitution The student will demonstrate knowledge of the Constitution of the United States by a) identifying the purposes for government stated in the Preamble; b) examining the fundamental principles upon which the Constitution of the United States is based, including the rule of law, consent of the governed, limited government, separation of powers, and federalism; c) illustrating the structure of the national government outlined in Article I, Article II, and Article III; d) describing the amendment process What are the Seven Guiding Principles of the Constitution? I Popular Sovereignty II Limited Government III Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Notes Chp 4: The Constitution 2
IV The Rule of Law V Judicial Review VI Federalism VII Individual Rights Basic Structure of the Constitution I Preamble Illustrated Preamble Directions: Write the Preamble to the Constitution on the lines provided Then, using the rest of the space on the page and at the top of the next page, illustrate at least three of the goals listed in the Preamble Notes Chp 4: The Constitution 3
II Articles 1 Article I 2 Article II 3 Article III 4 Article IV 5 Article V Notes Chp 4: The Constitution 4
6 Article VI 7 Article VII III Amendments 1 2 The Amendments I Bill of Rights (1791) 1 First Amendment a limitations on the first amendment 2 Second Amendment 3 Third Amendment 4 Fourth Amendment 5 Fifth Amendment 6 Sixth Amendment 7 Seventh Amendment 8 Eighth Amendment 9 Ninth Amendment 10 Tenth Amendment Notes Chp 4: The Constitution 5
Directions: Create an illustration/picture that represents the freedoms offered in the first eight amendments in the Bill of Rights Amendment Picture Amendment Picture 1 st 5 th 2 nd 6 th 3 rd 7 th 4 th 8 th II Strengthening the New Government 11 Eleventh Amendment (1795) 12 Twelfth Amendment (1804) III Civil War Amendments (Extending Rights to African Americans) 13 Thirteenth Amendment (1865) 14 Fourteenth Amendment (1868) 15 Fifteenth Amendment (1870) Notes Chp 4: The Constitution 6
III Twentieth Century Amendments (Reforms, Governance, and Voting Rights) 16 Sixteenth Amendment (1913) 17 Seventeenth Amendment (1913) 18 Eighteenth Amendment (1919) 19 Nineteenth Amendment (1920) 20 Twentieth Amendment (1933) 21 Twenty-First Amendment (1933) 22 Twenty-Second Amendment (1951) 23 Twenty-Third Amendment (1961) 24 Twenty-Fourth Amendment (1964) 25 Twenty-Fifth Amendment (1967) 26 Twenty-Sixth Amendment (1971) 27 Twenty-Seventh Amendment (1992) Interpreting the Constitution I Strict Construction: Looking at the Text II Loose Construction: Adapting the Constitution to Today Notes Chp 4: The Constitution 7
The framers developed the US Constitution more than 200 years ago with the hope that it would remain relevant and effective for future generations One way they sought to accomplish that was through the provisions of Article V, which spell out how the Constitution can be changed In recent years, Congress has fielded many proposals for changes to the Constitution, including the following: Requiring the federal government to balance the national budget Restricting the amount of money that can be spent during national electoral campaigns Abolishing the Electoral College and having the president and vice president elected by popular vote Lowering the age restriction for public offices such as senator and representative Repealing the Twenty-second Amendment, which sets presidential term limits Guaranteeing all citizens access to quality health care If you had the opportunity to change the Constitution in one way in order to improve it, what would you propose? In a short paragraph, explain your proposal and discuss why you think the Constitution will be a stronger, better document with this change Notes Chp 4: The Constitution 8
Glossary Chp 4 Directions: Fill in the definition for the term listed Then, in the box on the right, you have to draw a picture OR write the definition in your own words OR write a sentence using the word that demonstrates its meeting Due Process Federalism Popular Sovereignty Impeach Judicial Review Slander Libel Notes Chp 4: The Constitution 9
Summary DIRECTIONS: Choose only one of the following: a) write a summary (25-75 words) of what you believe was the most important aspect of the notes/lecture b) write what you believe to be the most interesting or memorable part of the notes/lecture (25-75 words) c) draw something that symbolizes the notes/lecture to you (has to be different than your title page) Notes Chp 4: The Constitution 10