​What is the Purpose of a Constitution?

​Making a new Constitution

• New Constitutions or reforms to constitutions usually happen in times of crisis.

• Like Chile in the video, our constitution was made in a time of crisis.

• Failure of the Articles of Confederation led to form a new constitution

​Does the United States fit the description of a country that needs a new or reformed constitution?

• Guns

• Taxes

• Women's rights

• Executive Power

​Structure of United States Constitution -

​

​

1. Preamble

2. Articles

3. Amendments

​Preamble -

​We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

​Articles -

​The seven articles make up the structural constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788.

• Legislative Branch

• Judicial Branch

• Executive Branch

• Amendments process

• Debts, Supremacy, Oaths, Religious Tests

• Ratification

​Amendments -

• Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition

• Right to Bear Arms

• Abolition of slavery

• Citizenship rights and equal protection

​There have been 27 amendments to the Constitution, beginning with the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments, ratified December 15, 1791.

​Download app from self-service

​Search for "Constitution of U.S.A" in self-service