Unit 2
The Constitution of the
United States of America
Relevant Standards of Learning
CE.2 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the foundations of American
constitutional government by
b) explaining the significance of the charters of the Virginia Company of
London, the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the Declaration of Independence,
the Articles of Confederation, the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, and
the Constitution of the United States, including the Bill of Rights;
c) identifying the purposes for the Constitution of the United States as stated in
its Preamble;
d) identifying the procedures for amending the Constitution of Virginia and the
Constitution of the United States.
CE.3 The student will demonstrate knowledge of citizenship and the rights, duties, and
responsibilities of citizens by
b) describing the First Amendment freedoms of religion, speech, press,
assembly, and petition, and the rights guaranteed by due process and equal
protection of the laws.
Student objectives
• Describe the influence of early documents on the
formation of the Constitution of the United States of
America. (CE 2b)
• Identify the purposes of the Constitution as stated in the
Preamble. (CE.2c)
• List and describe First Amendment freedoms, due
process, and equal protection of the law. (CE.3b)
• Explain the process for amending the Constitution of the
United States of America and the Virginia Constitution.
(CE.2d)
List the influence of each of the
following on the U. S. Constitution
Charters of the Virginia Company
of London
Granted English rights to American
colonists. Rights were unalienable.
Virginia Declaration of Rights
Written by George Mason, this
document served as a model for the Bill of
Rights (the first 10 amendments to the
U. S. Constitution
Virginia Statute For Religious
Freedom
Written by Thomas Jefferson, this
document guaranteed that government
would not establish or prohibit religious
practice. It was a model for the First
Amendment in the Bill of Rights.
Declaration of Independence
Declared American independence and
stated grievances against the King of
England. Guaranteed life, liberty, and
property and equality under the law.
Articles of Confederation
Formed a weak central government
and led to the formation of the U. S.
Constitution.
What are the purposes of the Constitution of the
United States as they are stated in the Preamble?
To form a union
Establish justice
Ensure domestic tranquility
Provide for the common defense
Promote the general welfare
Secure the blessings of liberty
Make a better country
Be fair
Keep order
Protect the country
Alleviate suffering and
make sure that people
are doing OK
Protect basic human
rights and freedoms
List and describe the five First Amendment freedoms.
Freedom
Freedom of religion
Freedom of speech
Freedom of the press
Freedom of assembly
Right to petition
Description
List and describe the five First Amendment freedoms.
Freedom
Freedom of religion
Freedom of speech
Freedom of the press
Freedom of assembly
Right to petition
Description
People are free to worship as they choose and
the government may not interfere.
List and describe the five First Amendment freedoms.
Freedom
Description
Freedom of religion
People are free to worship as they choose and
the government may not interfere.
Freedom of speech
Individuals are free to express their opinions
and beliefs
Freedom of the press
Freedom of assembly
Right to petition
List and describe the five First Amendment freedoms.
Freedom
Description
Freedom of religion
People are free to worship as they choose and
the government may not interfere.
Freedom of speech
Individuals are free to express their opinions
and beliefs
Freedom of the press
The media may gather and publish information,
even that which is critical of the government.
Freedom of assembly
Right to petition
List and describe the five First Amendment freedoms.
Freedom
Description
Freedom of religion
People are free to worship as they choose and
the government may not interfere.
Freedom of speech
Individuals are free to express their opinions
and beliefs
Freedom of the press
The media may gather and publish information,
even that which is critical of the government.
Freedom of assembly The right of the people to gather together for
peaceful purposes.
Right to petition
List and describe the five First Amendment freedoms.
Freedom
Description
Freedom of religion
People are free to worship as they choose and
the government may not interfere.
Freedom of speech
Individuals are free to express their opinions
and beliefs
Freedom of the press
The media may gather and publish information,
even that which is critical of the government.
Freedom of assembly The right of the people to gather together for
peaceful purposes.
Right to petition
The right to make your views known to
government officials.
What is due process of law?
What is due process of law?
• 5th Amendment
Protection from unfair government
practices by the national government
What is due process of law?
• 5th Amendment
Protection from unfair government
practices by the national government
• 14th Amendment
Protection from unfair government
practices by state governments
What is the process for amending the
U. S. Constitution?
What is the process for amending the
Constitution?
1. Action by two-thirds majority of
Congress, or two-thirds majority of the
states
What is the process for amending the
Constitution?
1. Action by two-thirds majority of
Congress, or two-thirds majority of the
states
2. Ratification by three-fourths of state
conventions or state legislatures
What is the process for amending
the Virginia Constitution?
What is the process for amending
the Virginia Constitution?
1. Proposal by a majority of both houses of
the Virginia General Assembly
What is the process for amending
the Virginia Constitution?
1. Proposal by a majority of both houses of
the Virginia General Assembly
2. Ratification by a majority of Virginia
voters
Raise your hand to answer the
following questions!
What do the following things have
in common?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Secure the blessings of liberty
Promote the general welfare
Establish justice
Provide for the general defense
Ensure domestic tranquility
Form a more perfect union
What do the following things have
in common?
•
•
•
•
•
Right to petition
Freedom of assembly
Freedom of the press
Freedom of speech
Freedom of religion
What do the following things have
in common?
• Articles of Confederation
• Charters of the Virginia Company
• Virginia Statute For Religious
Freedom
• Virginia Declaration of Rights
• Declaration of Independence
What are the two due process
amendments?
5 & 14
What do we call the first 10
amendments to the U. S.
Constitution?
Bill of Rights
What proportion of both houses of
the U. S. Congress does it take to
propose an amendment to the
U. S. Constitution?
Two-thirds
What proportion of the states are
required to ratify an amendment to
the U. S. Constitution?
Three-fourths
Law enforcement, disease
prevention, and social security
are all consistent with which
Preamble purpose?
Promote the general welfare
How many times has a
constitutional amendment been
used to repeal a previous
amendment?
1
How many times has the U. S.
Constitution been changed?
27
What should you do tonight?