Lesson 6: Constitution of the United States
The Constitutional Convention created the Constitution. Delegates to this convention were only meant to discuss the Articles of Confederation and had no power given to them by their states to discuss a federal government that would rule and encompass the states. The Constitution was created in 100 days and to ensure that not all the states had to be on board for it to work (as would have been required under the Articles of Confederation) the delegates said only 9/13 of the states had to ratify it (per the laws of the new Constitution).
Although not the easiest document to understand, it is important to know what is in it. Take the time to read the Constitution, located here: http://www.heritage.org/constitution If you don't understand a section, click on it for an explanation. Make sure to take the time to read the entire Constitution. Although it is long, it is the supreme law of the land.
Once you have finished reading the Constitution, take this civics quiz: http://civicsquiz.com/50-question-u-s-civics-quiz/. Many of the questions in this quiz are straight out of the Constitution.
Not everyone wanted the Constitution to be passed because it didn't write out the rights of the people. They said that without these rights written out, the government would be able to take them (as they felt the British Parliament had done). Those for the Constitution said that those rights were inherent rights and so they could not be taken from a person because they couldn't be given by the government - they were given to a person when they were born. The compromise to get the Constitution ratified was the Bill of Rights - the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Make sure you read these amendments (see the link above for the Constitution if you missed them).
Although not the easiest document to understand, it is important to know what is in it. Take the time to read the Constitution, located here: http://www.heritage.org/constitution If you don't understand a section, click on it for an explanation. Make sure to take the time to read the entire Constitution. Although it is long, it is the supreme law of the land.
Once you have finished reading the Constitution, take this civics quiz: http://civicsquiz.com/50-question-u-s-civics-quiz/. Many of the questions in this quiz are straight out of the Constitution.
Not everyone wanted the Constitution to be passed because it didn't write out the rights of the people. They said that without these rights written out, the government would be able to take them (as they felt the British Parliament had done). Those for the Constitution said that those rights were inherent rights and so they could not be taken from a person because they couldn't be given by the government - they were given to a person when they were born. The compromise to get the Constitution ratified was the Bill of Rights - the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Make sure you read these amendments (see the link above for the Constitution if you missed them).
Assignment #7
1. What is the supreme law of the land?
2. What rights do the states have?
3. How old do you have to be to become President?
4. How old do you have to be to become a member of the Senate?
5. How many years are terms for members of the House of Representatives?
6. How do Supreme Court justices get their jobs?
7. What do the first three words "We the People" mean?
8. How long does a Supreme Court Justice serve?
9. Who is the head of the Executive Branch?
10. Who makes up the Legislative Branch?
11. What is the purpose of the Judicial Branch?
12. Who ratifies treaties?
13. Who makes appropriations (money bills and laws)?
14. In what ways can the President veto a bill?
15. What does the President have to say when he takes the Oath of office?
2. What rights do the states have?
3. How old do you have to be to become President?
4. How old do you have to be to become a member of the Senate?
5. How many years are terms for members of the House of Representatives?
6. How do Supreme Court justices get their jobs?
7. What do the first three words "We the People" mean?
8. How long does a Supreme Court Justice serve?
9. Who is the head of the Executive Branch?
10. Who makes up the Legislative Branch?
11. What is the purpose of the Judicial Branch?
12. Who ratifies treaties?
13. Who makes appropriations (money bills and laws)?
14. In what ways can the President veto a bill?
15. What does the President have to say when he takes the Oath of office?