Declaration of Independence and Constitution Work Together
Declaration of Independence


July 4, 1776
1,400 words long
Charter- A document issued by a sovereign legislature, or other authority, defining its
privileges, [principles, beliefs] and purposes.

Why a company goes into business
U.S. Constitution


September 17, 1787
4,500 words long
The Constitution ‘serves’ the principles in the declaration
Bylaws- the rules adopted by an organization chiefly for the government of its members and the
regulation of its affairs.

How a company will organize and govern itself
Part 1
5 Key Concepts of the U.S. Constitution
Basic Structure of the Constitution
The total length of the United States Constitution is over 4,500 words.
About 4,000 of these words describe how three branches of government are to operate.
Another 400 words describe relationship between the states and the process for making
amendments to the Constitution
1. Legislative- Congress
a. The House of Representatives
b. The Senate
2. Executive- The President
3. Judicial- The Supreme Court
Relationships between the States and making Amendments
The first 52 Words (Most important)
They state the 6 core purposes for which the constitution was written
These 6 core purposes serve to define and limit the remaining 4,450 words of the Constitution.
The Preamble
We the People of the United States in order
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Connect the states/ To form a more perfect union
Establish justice/ To establish justice
Ensure peace/ To ensure domestic tranquility
Provide defense/ To provide for common defense
Promote general welfare/ To promote general welfare and
Secure liberty now and for the future/ To secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves
and our posterity
Do ordain & establish this Constitution
Part 2
The 3 branches
Legislative- Congress
1. To borrow and coin money
2. To regulate commerce
3. To regulate immigration
4. To set up post office and roads
5. To create an environment for good commerce
6. To maintain army, and militias
7. To declare war
8. To conduct impeachments
9. To oversee the District of Columbia
10. To make laws limited to the six purposes of the Constitution and these areas
Executive- The President
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
To be Commander in Chief
To appoint ambassadors, judges and officers
To enforce the laws of the United States
To sign treaties & receive ambassadors
To grant pardons
To give the State of the Union to Congress
Judicial- The Supreme Court
1.
2.
3.
4.
To take appeals from citizens, courts & States
To make principled judgments
To ensure jury trials
To uphold the Constitution
All 3 branches are to uphold and interpret the Constitution
Not just the Supreme Court
Even at the founding there was great concern over the Supreme Court and Judicial Overreach or
Judicial Tyranny because Judges were appointed for life
Thomas Jefferson
“The constitution is a mere thing of wax in the hands of the judiciary which they may shape into
any form they please.”
The Balance of power over the court


Congress establishes the jurisdiction of the court
Congress can impeach judges
Congress

Slightly more powerful because closest to people {House then Senate}
President

Powerful in war and in keeping the law, otherwise medium power
Judiciary

Designed to be checks and balance, but least powerful
Bill of Right
Reaffirms limits of Constitution
1. “Congress shall make no Law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof.” [Also Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Press]
X. The powers not delegated to the United States… Are reserved for the states respectively or
the people.
On September 17, 1787, the United States Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates
attending the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
Article 4: States' powers: States have the power to make and carry out their own laws. State
laws that are related to the people and problems of their area. States respect other states laws and
work together with other states to fix regional problems.
Article 5: Amendments: The Constitution can be changed. New amendments can be added to
the US Constitution with the approval by a two-thirds vote in each house of Congress (67, 281)
and three-fourth vote by the states (38).
Article 6: Federal powers: The Constitution and federal laws are higher than state and local
laws. All laws must agree with the US Constitution.
Article 7: Ratification: The Constitution was presented to George Washington and the men at
the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, Representatives from twelve out of the
thirteen original states signed the Constitution. From September 1787 to July 1788, the states
meet, talked about, and finally voted to approve the Constitution.
The First ten amendments of the US Constitution are The Bill of Rights
Amendment 1 (I): Freedom of religion, Freedom of speech and press, Freedom of peaceful
assembly and petition
Amendment 2 (II): the right to bear arms and raise a militia.
Amendment 3(III): Soldiers cannot take or live in a person's house.
Amendment 4 (IV): Protection against Unreasonable Search and Seizure. Must have a warrant
unless emergency search and seizure is appropriate.
Amendment 5 (V): The government must follow the law (due process) before punishing a
person. Innocent until proven guilty.
Amendment 6 (VI): The right to have a speedy and public trial. Fair trial.
Amendment 7 (VII): A person has the right to a jury trial for civil cases.
Amendment 8 (VIII): The government cannot demand excessive bail or fines, or any cruel and
unusual punishment.
Amendment 9 (IX): The Constitution does not include all of the rights of the people and the
states.
Amendment 10 (X): Any powers that the Constitution does not give to the federal government
belong to the states.
Amendment 11 (XI): Citizens cannot sue states in federal courts. (There are some exceptions).
Amendment 12 (XII): The President and Vice President are elected on a party ticket. Electoral
College
Amendment 13 (XIII): Slavery is illegal in the United States.
Amendment 14 (XIV): Every person born in the USA is a citizen. An immigrant can become a
naturalized citizen.
Amendment 15 (XV): All US male citizens have the right to vote.
Amendment 16 (XVI): Congress can tax income. Income taxes
Amendment 17 (XVII): The people can elect US Senators.
Amendment 18 (XVIII): Alcohol is illegal. (Prohibition).
Amendment 19 (XIX): All US female citizens have the right to vote.
Amendment 20 (XX): The President is inaugurated in January. Congress begins to meet in
January.
Amendment 21 (XXI): Alcohol is legal. Each state can make laws about making, selling, and
drinking alcohol.
Amendment 22 (XXII): The President cannot serve for more than two terms.
Amendment 23 (XXIII): The US Citizens in the District of Columbia have the right to vote for
President.
Amendment 24 (XXIV): It is illegal to make a citizen pay a voting fee or take a reading test to
vote.
Amendment 25 (XXV): If the president dies or cannot serve, the vice-president becomes
president. If both die, the Speaker of the House becomes president. Line of succession.
Amendment 26 (XXVI): US citizens who are 18 years old or older have the right to vote.
Amendment 27 (XXVII): Congress must limit when and how much its members are paid.