What’s so amazing about the U.S. Constitution?

DID YOU KNOW?The U.S. Constitution has 4,400 words. It is the oldest and shortest written Constitution of any major government in the world.“

When the U.S. Constitution was written there were 4 million people in the U.S. Today there are 307 million.

The first time the formal term “The United States of America” was used was in the Declaration of Independence.

“The people” are the government –

“popular sovereignty”

“The people” choose their leadersRegular elections give people a chance to

speak out

We have a Federal System: Powers are shared between state and national

A federal system divides power

The federal (national) government has delegated power

The states have reserved power

Concurrent power describes the duties they share

Limited government was valued by the “Founding

Fathers”

“That government is best which governs least.”

Henry David Thoreau

Three separate branches

That check and balance each other

The Constitution is amendable

The constitution has been amended 27 times

Amendments can be repealedIt is difficult to amend

Our first Amendment is admired around the world –

Why?

It’s enduringBeen in place for over 220 years

It’s the longest lasting constitution in the world

SO WHY IS OUR CONSTITUTION SO AMAZING?The people ARE the

governmentThe people choose

their leadersPower is shared

between the state and federal government

Power is divided between 3 Branches of government

It is amendableIt is enduringOur first

amendment is admired around the world.

PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION

We the people of the United States, 1.in Order to form a more perfect Union,2.establish Justice,3.insure domestic Tranquility,4.provide for the common defense,5.promote the general Welfare, 6.and secure the Blessings of Liberty to

ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the

United Statesof America.

“FREEZE FRAME”SMALL GROUP DIRECTIONS

Discuss together: what does this phrase mean?

Together, plan a “freeze frame” skit to show this phrase in the real world

THE END