1-4 Founding Documents (pt 2)

The Constitution and the Bill of Rights

The Constitution and the Bill of Rights

• Goals of the Constitution (Intro)
○ Since the arrival of the ____________ and the writing of the Mayflower
Compact, American government has been based on the
_____________________________________.
○ The Preamble to the Constitution outlines _______________________ of the
Constitution.
○ The Constitution strives to correct the weaknesses of the Articles of
Confederation by creating a “__________________” – including the federal
government and the governments of each state.
○ Ultimately, the Convention’s new basis for government is a _____________
build upon the doctrine of “________________________________________.”
○ Some delegates were ______________________________________ and demanded a
“_______ _________” before they could support the Constitution.
1-4 Founding Documents (pt 2)
The Constitution and the Bill of Rights

1. The Preamble of the Constitution

a. The Preamble begins with the words “We the people.” These words stress
that our government was ____________________________ of the United States.
We the
As is clearly stated, the American people “do ordain [order] and establish this
People…
Constitution.”
i. Jefferson believed that _______________________________________________.
He foresaw government quickly degenerating without an _____________
and __________ people to uphold their liberties.
2. 6 goals in the Preamble
a. The first goal of good government is to provide a more perfect _________ than
was found under the Articles of Confederation.
i. It was difficult for our founders to unite thirteen independent states.
ii.They recognized that it would be much easier to ____________________
For a more
the liberties they won in the Revolutionary War
perfect
____________________________.
Union…
iii.If the United States government was too weak, it may tempt some
________________ with _____________________________ against other states.
1. Some states were arguing over _________________. Squabbles
between states could lead to ______________.
iv.________ and transportation routes should be encouraged to unify
distant states and promote ____________ and __________.
b. The Constitution is designed to provide _______________ for all.
Establish i. Our founders believed that it was the government’s responsibility
Justice __________________ and _____________________ for those whose rights
were violated.
ii.Enforcing clear, __________________ is the surest way to establish
justice.
c. The Constitution is designed to ensure peace, security, and domestic
tranquility.
i. It’s the people’s right to enjoy _____________________ so they can enjoy a
sense of _________________________.
Ensure
ii.The Constitution allows the federal government to intervene if
domestic
__________________ threatens the elected government of states.
tranquility
iii.The ___________ of government is ____________ (and _________________)
by placing most decision making at a ___________________.
iv.___________________________________ and defend themselves from an
overbearing federal government.
d. The Constitution provides for a common defense against all enemies (internal
and external).
i. It is the people’s right __________________________ from all enemies who
might seek to conquer or ____________ the United States.
Provide for the
ii.At the time, the United States was threatened by ________, _______, and
Common
the _______.
1-4 Founding Documents (pt 2)
The Constitution and the Bill of Rights

iii.Ben Franklin, “The way to secure _________ is to be prepared for

_______.” The appearance of weakness may invite ______________.
e. The Constitution is designed to promote practices and policies for the general
welfare of the whole nation.
Promote the i. Americans have a right to have it government serve its
General “__________________”.
ii.Thus, the government may _______________________ of the people for
the ________ ________________ ___ certain __________, which would be
“General”
“____________ welfare”.
 vs
iii.Designed to prevent the government from ____________ it power and
“special” 
created a _____ ________ of citizen.
welfare
f. The Constitution should secure the blessing of liberty today and for the
future.
i. Americans have the right to have their government
____________________________ _____________________________ from
generation to generation.
ii.The Founders (and other observers) recognized an ____________
Secure the as central to the success of the United States.
citizenry
blessings 1.ofAlexis de Tocqueville: “…the instruction of the people powerfully
contributes to the support of the democratic republic” and “In
the United States, __________ are the _____ and _____ of
education.”
iii.Even in __________ and “________________,” the people have a right &
responsibility to ___________________________________ and regain their
liberties at any time.
3. The Federal System
a. It had been a weakness of the Articles of Confederation that the central
government was too weak to unify the country. The Constitution created a
“federal
new “____________________” (referring to the country’s
system”
_______________________________________) to divide power between the central
vs
and state governments.
federal
b. The powers the Constitution specifically gives to the federal government are
governme
called __________ __________. There are about __________ delegated powers.
nt
i. _______________________________________________________________
c. The Constitution sets aside all other power (that is _________________) to the
_________.
______________________ are reserved, or set aside, for
_____________________________.
d. The Constitution grants both the federal and state governments certain
shared powers… these are called ___________________________.
Some previous attempts to limit government
Power is i. ____________, establish ________, _________, establish ____ and __________
divided law-breakers, _____________________________ of the people.
three
4. ways
“Constitutional
in Supremacy”
the
1-4 Founding Documents (pt 2)
The Constitution and the Bill of Rights

a. The Founders, like many before them, were establishing a

__________________________ –a government with defined restrictions to its
power.
i. England had tried limiting their King with a “_______________
supremacy”
ii.The Articles of Confederation had attempted “________ supremacy”
b. Through a Constitution ________________________________ [approved]
_________________ of the United States, American’s rights and liberties could
be ensured.
c. Our founders created a unique brand of “________________ supremacy.”
d. They hoped that this invention would establish a “__________________” that
would survive the test of time.
“Constitution Gotta keep things b
al
supremacy”
and
“People’s The Constitution did not specifically outline the rights of the
American people. Rather, it granted certain rights to the
government assuming the states and people would hold all other
“unalienable rights.” Still, many Founders insisted upon a Bill of
Rights and submitted over
__________________________________________. Congress presented
____ to the states for approval. Only ____ were approved and
became known as the ______________________.