Simone Lawson
Worksheets are a fun way to learn about the U.S. Constitution, its history, and its impact. Students can learn about the separation of powers, the three branches of government, and how the Constitution has shaped the U.S. government. They can delve into the reasons behind the creation of the document, the liberties it aimed to secure, and the process of amending it. Worksheets can also include engaging activities like scavenger hunts and analyzing Howard Chandler Christy's famous painting of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Briefness of the document | 7,400 words |
| Number of Amendments | 27 |
| First 10 Amendments | The Bill of Rights |
| Number of states approving the Amendments | Not mentioned |
| Number of deputies to the Constitutional Convention | Not restricted |
| State that did not send deputies to the Constitutional Convention | Rhode Island and Providence Plantations |
| Oldest member of the Constitutional Convention | Benjamin Franklin (81) |
| Youngest member of the Constitutional Convention | Jonathan Dayton (26) |
| Number of lawyers at the Constitutional Convention | 34 |
| Number of members from the Continental Congress | 40 |
| Number of members who never attended meetings | 19 |
| Date when the government under the Constitution became fully operative | February 2, 1790 |
| Number of votes received by George Washington in his first election | 69 out of 81 |
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What You'll Learn
The purpose of the Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is a document that outlines the framework for the American government and the rights of its citizens. It is the supreme law of the land, empowering the government with the sovereign authority of the people and providing limitations on governmental powers to protect the fundamental rights of citizens.
Each branch serves as a check and balance on the others, ensuring that no one branch gains too much power. The Constitution also divides power between the federal government and the states, with powers not specifically assigned to the federal government being reserved for the states.
The writers of the Constitution also included rules for amending it when needed, recognising that changes would be necessary over time. The process for making amendments is designed to be difficult to prevent arbitrary changes, requiring a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress or a convention called at the request of two-thirds of the states. Amendments must then be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures or conventions called in each state for this purpose.
Overall, the Constitution serves to protect the liberties and rights of the people, ensuring that their government acts within specific limits and preserving the freedoms that the founders fought for.
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The people involved
The creation of the United States Constitution was a collaborative effort involving several key individuals. The Constitutional Convention, which took place in Philadelphia in May 1787, brought together 55 delegates from 12 states, including lawyers, soldiers, planters, educators, ministers, physicians, financiers, and merchants. The oldest delegate was Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, aged 81, and the youngest was Jonathan Dayton of New Jersey, aged 26.
Benjamin Franklin, a renowned polymath and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, played a significant role in the Constitutional Convention. He advocated for a unified government for the Thirteen Colonies, known as the Albany Plan of Union. While this plan was rejected, Franklin's influence on the creation of the Constitution was notable. He quoted European Enlightenment thinkers like Blackstone and Montesquieu, and his speech at the Convention reflected his belief that existing European forms of government were not suitable for the unique circumstances of the emerging nation.
George Washington, another Founding Father, shared Franklin's concerns about the young country's stability. Along with James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, Washington feared that the Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution, were inadequate and lacked the necessary enforcement powers to effectively govern the nation. Washington's vision of a republic, a nation without hereditary rulers, aligned with the ideals of the Constitution.
James Madison, often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution," was instrumental in convening the Constitutional Convention and drafting the document. He, along with Washington and Hamilton, recognised the need for a stronger central government and worked towards revising the Articles of Confederation.
Alexander Hamilton, a delegate at the Philadelphia Convention, also contributed to the discussions. However, his plan for the government of the United States did not receive much attention, as the focus shifted towards a complete redesign of the government rather than piecemeal alterations.
The delegates at the Constitutional Convention represented a diverse range of interests and views, and their collaboration resulted in a series of compromises that shaped the final document. The Connecticut Compromise, or the Great Compromise, proposed by a committee including John Rutledge, Edmund Randolph, Nathaniel Gorham, Oliver Ellsworth, and James Wilson, addressed congressional representation. This compromise balanced sectional interests and paved the way for further agreements on presidential powers and the jurisdiction of the federal judiciary.
The process of ratification also involved state deputies and legislatures, with ratification by 9 of the 13 states enacting the new government. The Federalists, who supported a strong central government, and the Anti-Federalists, who opposed it, engaged in a heated ratification campaign, ultimately resulting in the establishment of the Constitution as one of the most enduring and influential political documents in history.
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The process of its creation
The Constitution of the United States is a concise document of just 7,400 words, including the amendments ratified over 200 years. It was written by 55 delegates from 12 states who met in Philadelphia in 1787. The delegates included lawyers, soldiers, planters, educators, ministers, physicians, financiers, and merchants. Notably, Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, and Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, were the oldest and youngest members, respectively.
The Constitution was created to define the framework for the American government and secure the rights and liberties of its citizens. The writers recognized that changes would be needed over time, and so they built into the document rules for amending it. The first ten amendments are collectively known as the Bill of Rights, and there have been 27 amendments in total.
The Constitution was formed to ensure that the people's liberties were secure, not only against foreign attack but also against oppression by their own government. Specific limits were set upon the national government and the states, and all powers not granted to the government were reserved for the people. This is reflected in the Ninth Amendment, which states, "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."
The process of ratifying the Constitution was not without its challenges. Some state leaders were reluctant to ratify it due to concerns about the new federal government. Additionally, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations did not send deputies to the Constitutional Convention. It was not until February 2, 1790, that the Supreme Court, as the head of the third branch of government, held its first session, marking the date when the government under the Constitution became fully operational.
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The consequences
One of the key consequences of the Constitution was the establishment of a strong federal government. The Constitution created a centralized government with three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial. This marked a significant shift from the weak and decentralized government under the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution also outlined the powers and responsibilities of each branch, creating a system of checks and balances to prevent the concentration of power in any one branch.
Another consequence of the Constitution was the protection of individual liberties and rights. The Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution, guarantees various freedoms and protections for US citizens, including freedom of speech, religion, and the right to bear arms. The Ninth Amendment further emphasizes that the Constitution should not be interpreted as denying or disparaging other rights retained by the people. These protections have had a profound impact on the lives of Americans, ensuring their freedoms and safeguarding them from oppression by their own government.
The Constitution also played a crucial role in defining the framework for the American government and the rights of its citizens. It established the rules and procedures for governing the country, including the process of lawmaking and the election of representatives. The Constitution set out the powers of the federal government and reserved all other powers to the states or the people, promoting a balance between federal and state authority.
Furthermore, the Constitution's establishment of a stable and durable government contributed to the country's economic growth and development. The Constitution provided a foundation for the US economic system, including the regulation of commerce and the creation of a national currency. It also facilitated the expansion of the country through the admission of new states and the establishment of a uniform rule of law across the nation.
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Amendments and changes
The US Constitution is a concise document of just 7,400 words, including the Amendments ratified over 200 years. The writers of the Constitution were aware that changes would be needed over time, and so they built into the document the rules for amending it. This process is not an easy one, and it requires approval from a certain number of states.
The Constitution was created to secure the liberties of the people, protecting them from foreign attack and oppression by their own government. It set specific limits on the national government and the states, and reserved for the people all powers that were not granted to the government. The Ninth Amendment underscores this, stating that any rights not mentioned in the Constitution remain the rights of the people.
The Fifth Amendment is another important amendment that protects individuals accused of crimes. It states that no person can be held to answer for a capital or infamous crime unless it is presented or indicted by a grand jury. There are exceptions for those serving in the military or militia during times of war or public danger.
The first ten amendments to the Constitution are significant, and there have been twenty-seven amendments in total. Amendments often reflect changes in social thinking over time. For example, some state leaders were initially reluctant to ratify the Constitution due to concerns about the potential corruption of a new federal government.
The Supreme Court, which leads the third branch of the government, held its first session on February 2, 1790. This date marks when the government under the Constitution became fully operational.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution was formed to secure the people's liberties, not only against foreign attack but also against oppression by their own government.
Forty members of the Constitutional Convention had also been members of the Continental Congress, and two others became members later.
Twelve states were represented at the Constitutional Convention.
