THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
(because it’s kiiiiiind of important)
Outside Independence Hall (in Philadelphia) when the Constitutional
Convention of 1787 ended, a woman asked Benjamin Franklin, “Well, Doctor,
what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” With hesitation, Franklin
responded, “A republic, if you can keep it.”
CONSTITUTION:
1. The system of fundamental laws and principles that prescribes the nature,
systems, functions and limits of a government.
2. The fundamental law of the United States, framed in 1787, ratified in 1789
and variously amended since then.
DATES TO REMEMBER
(even though I know you won’t)
September
17th,
1787
The U.S. Constitution, in its final form, is approved by the Constitutional Convention (39
delegates sign it of the 42 present, and the Convention formally adjourns) –
CONSTITUTION DAY!
June 21, 1788
New Hampshire becomes the 9th state to ratify the Constitution (2/3 of the states).
March 4th, 1789
The first CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES under the Constitution convenes in New
York City.
June 8th, 1789
James Madison introduces the BILL OF RIGHTS in the U.S. House of Representatives.
September 25th, 1789
Congress approves 12 amendments and sends them to the states for ratification.
December
15th,
1791
On December 15, 1791, Virginia became the 10th of 14 states to approve 10 of the 12
amendments, thus giving the Bill of Rights the two-thirds majority of state ratification
necessary to make it legal!
James Madison
“The Father of the Constitution”
FASCINATING FACTS!
(you know they are, don’t fight it)
Historical Perspective:
* When the Constitution was signed, the United States’ population was 4 million. It is now more than 309 million.
Philadelphia was the most modern city in America and the largest city in North America. It had a population of
40,000 people, 7,000 street lamps, 33 churches, 10 newspapers, and a university.
* The national government spent $4.3 million during the first session of Congress from 1789-1791. During the last
year that George Washington was President of the United States (1796-1797), the entire cost of running the federal
government was $5,727,000.
* Rhode Island was the only state not to send delegates to Philadelphia in 1787 for the Constitutional Convention.
At that time the state legislature was controlled by the agrarian party and was fearful that a stronger central
government would demand that debts be paid in hard money (cash). It was the last state to ratify the Constitution
on May 29, 1790 (over a year after President George Washington’s inauguration).
On the Delegates Present at the Constitutional Convention:
* Of the forty-two delegates who attended most of the meetings, thirty-nine actually signed the Constitution.
Edmund Randolph and George Mason of Virginia and Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts refused to sign due in part
due to the lack of a bill of rights (those guys would become the Anti-Federalists that opposed the Constitution).
* Gouverneur Morris was largely responsible for the “wording” of the Constitution, although there was a
Committee of Style formed in September 1787.
* George Washington and James Madison were the only presidents who signed the Constitution.
* Because of his poor health, Benjamin Franklin needed help to sign the Constitution. As he did so, tears streamed
down his face… Although Benjamin Franklin’s mind remained active, his body was deteriorating. He was in constant
pain because of gout and having a stone in his bladder, and he could barely walk. He would enter the convention
hall in a sedan chair carried by four prisoners from the Walnut Street jail in Philadelphia.
* The oldest person to sign the Constitution was Benjamin Franklin (81). The youngest was Jonathan Dayton of New
Jersey (26).
The U.S. Constitution:
* The U.S. Constitution has 4,400 words. It is the oldest and shortest written Constitution of any major government
in the world!
* The Constitution does not set forth requirements for the right to vote. As a result, at the outset of the Union, only
male property-owners could vote.
* The word “democracy” does not appear once in the Constitution.
* The Constitution has only been changed seventeen times since 1791! (the longest time going unchanged was from
1804 until 1864; the 12th to the 13th Amendment)
* Since 1952, the Constitution has been on display in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. Currently,
all four pages are displayed behind protective glass framed with titanium. To preserve the parchment’s quality, the
cases contain argon gas and are kept at 67 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of 40 percent.
THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
Table of Contents (use this as a resource)
I. Preamble
VI. Article 5 (Amendment Process)
II. Article 1 (Legislative Branch)
III. Article 2 (Executive Branch)
VII. Article 6 (Debts, Supremacy, Oaths)
IV. Article 3 (Judicial Branch)
VIII. Article 7 (Ratification)
V. Article 4 (Interstate Relations)
IX. Amendments (27 Amendments)
IMPORTANT CLAUSES
(because they’re important)
1.) The Commerce Clause (A1-S8-C1):
* Congress shall have power… “To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and
with the Indian Tribes.”
2.) The Necessary and Proper Clause – the Elastic Clause (A1-S8-C18):
* The Congress shall have Power To… “make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into
Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the
United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.”
3.) The Supremacy Clause (A6-S2 ):
* “This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all
treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of
the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the constitution or laws of any state
to the contrary notwithstanding.”
4.) The Full Faith and Credit Clause (A4-S1):
* “Full faith and credit shall be given in each of these States to the records, acts, and judicial proceedings of the
courts and magistrates of every other State.”
5.) The Confrontation Clause (6th):
* “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right… to be confronted with the witnesses against
him.”
6.) The Equal Protection Clause (14th, C1):
* “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…”
7.) The General Welfare Clause (A1, S8, C1):
* “The Congress shall have Power To… provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United
States…”
8.) The Search and Seizure Clause (4th, C1):
* “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable
searches and seizures, shall not be violated…”
9.) The Takings Clause – Eminent Domain (5th):
* “…nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”
THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
Scavenger Hunt
Name: ______________________________
1.) “The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one _______________________________.”
2.) “The President shall be ___________________________ of the Army and Navy of the United States.”
3.) Before the President enters the office of the Presidency he must take an oath. WRITE DOWN THAT OATH.
4.) How many states needed to ratify the Constitution for it to go into effect? _______________________
5.) List FIVE EXPRESSED (“enumerated”) powers of Congress.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
6.) List THREE LIMITATIONS on the power of Congress.
a.
b.
c.
7.) List THREE reasons that the PRESIDENT can be IMPEACHED.
a.
b.
c.
8.) List THREE REQUIREMENTS for members of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
a.
b.
c.
9.) List THREE REQUIREMENTS for members of the SENATE.
a.
b.
c.
10.) List THREE REQUIREMENTS listed for the PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT.
a.
b.
c.
11.) List TWO PROTECTIONS that the Federal government guarantees each STATE.
a.
b.
c.
12.) The length in which each Senator serves before having to run for re-election. _______________________
13.) The term of office for federal judges. _______________________
14.) What fraction of both chambers of Congress is necessary to approve a proposed Constitutional Amendment?
_______________________
15.) What fraction of the states throughout the country can ask for a convention to propose new Constitutional
Amendments?
_______________________
16.) What fraction of the states throughout the country must approve a proposed Constitutional Amendment for
it to be ratified?
_______________________
17.) What is necessary to be convicted of treason?
18.) What qualification for holding any federal office is forbidden?
19.) Which Amendment banned slavery in the United States? _______________________
20.) Which Amendment eliminated the use of poll taxes as a qualification to vote throughout the United States?
_______________________
21.) Which Amendment gave 18 year olds the right to vote in the US? _______________________
22.) Write down the names of 5 signers of the Constitution.