Omar Bennett
iCivics is an educational platform that offers teachers and students a variety of resources to learn about the United States Constitution. The platform provides lesson plans, readings, activities, handouts, videos, and games that explore the history, structure, and relevance of the Constitution, as well as key amendments and their impact on citizens' rights. The lessons cover topics such as the creation of the Constitution, its key characteristics, the roles and powers of the three branches of government, and the rights and responsibilities of US citizens. iCivics has been praised for its engaging and self-directed content that deepens students' understanding of complex concepts and encourages active learning.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Structure | Built on three key principles: federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances |
| Creation | A convention met in Philadelphia in May 1787 to amend the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution |
| Amendments | The 13th Amendment abolished slavery; the 8th Amendment limits unjust and inhumane punishments for crimes; the 14th Amendment defined citizenship and applies equal protection under the law; the 19th Amendment protected women's nationwide voting rights; the 16th Amendment made income taxes official; the 10th and 11th Amendments protect the powers of the states; the 24th Amendment banned poll taxes in federal elections |
| Application | Protecting citizens' rights, including the Bill of Rights |
| Purpose | To outline the duties and powers of the three branches of the U.S. government, the amendment process, and to act as the supreme law of the land |
| Learning | Through games, readings, activities, handouts, videos, photos, primary and secondary sources |
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What You'll Learn
The creation of the Constitution
The creation of the US Constitution was a long and complex process, which began with the need to revise the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution. The Articles of Confederation had been created just after the Revolutionary War, but they had several shortcomings, including a lack of enforcement powers, an inability to regulate commerce, and an inability to print money. This led to disputes between the states, threatening to tear the young country apart.
In May 1787, a Constitutional Convention was assembled in Philadelphia, with General George Washington elected unanimously as its president. The delegates decided to keep their proceedings secret, shuttering the windows of the State House to ensure privacy. While they had initially gathered to revise the Articles of Confederation, they soon decided to completely redesign the government. One of the fiercest arguments was over congressional representation and whether it should be based on population or divided equally among the states. The issue of slavery also threatened to derail the Union, but a temporary resolution was found by allowing the slave trade to continue until 1808.
After months of heated debate, a Committee of Detail was appointed to put the decisions into writing. Edmund Randolph of Virginia wrote the first draft, which was then revised by James Wilson. This draft was sent to Philadelphia printers John Dunlap and David Claypoole, who printed a limited number of copies for the delegates. After further revisions, a Committee of Style, led by Gouverneur Morris, prepared the final version. On September 17, 1787, the Constitutional Convention voted in favor of the Constitution, and 38 delegates signed it, with George Reed signing on behalf of the absent John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total to 39 signatures.
The Constitution then had to be ratified by the states. Eleven states ratified the Constitution, instituting a new form of government for the United States. The structure of the Constitution is built on three key principles: federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances.
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The structure of the Constitution
The structure of the US Constitution is built on three key principles: federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land in the United States, and it outlines the duties and powers of the three branches of the US government.
The Constitution was created by a convention that met in Philadelphia in May 1787 to amend the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution. The delegates to the Constitutional Convention quickly began work on drafting a new Constitution for the United States. A chief aim of the Constitution was to create a government with enough power to act on a national level, but without so much power that fundamental rights would be at risk.
The powers of the government were separated into three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judiciary. The legislative branch is outlined in Article I of the Constitution, which grants powers to Congress and also sets limitations. The executive branch is created by Article II of the Constitution, which establishes the office of the President of the United States (POTUS), determines how they are selected, and states the oath of office. Article III of the Constitution establishes the judiciary, including judicial review and life tenure for judges.
The Constitution also includes a Bill of Rights, which guarantees certain rights to citizens, such as freedom of religion, speech, and the press, as well as the right to keep and bear arms. The Constitution has been amended several times to protect citizens' rights, such as the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery, and the Nineteenth Amendment, which protected women's right to vote.
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The Bill of Rights
The United States Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. It was proposed following the often bitter 1787–88 debate over the ratification of the Constitution and written to address the objections raised by Anti-Federalists. The Anti-Federalists wanted power to remain with state and local governments and favoured a bill of rights to safeguard individual liberty. The Federalists, on the other hand, advocated for a strong national government. They believed that the people and states automatically kept any powers not given to the federal government.
The amendments of the Bill of Rights add to the Constitution specific guarantees of personal freedoms, such as freedom of speech, the right to publish, practice religion, possess firearms, assemble, and other natural and legal rights. The First Amendment, for example, protects the right to freedom of speech and worship. The Fourth Amendment safeguards citizens' right to be free from unreasonable government intrusion in their homes through the requirement of a warrant. The Tenth Amendment states that the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution are reserved to the states or the people.
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Amendments
The iCivics curriculum on the Constitution is designed to teach students about the creation of the Constitution, its key characteristics, and its application in protecting citizens' rights. The curriculum also covers the three branches of the U.S. government and the amendment process.
One of the key amendments highlighted in the iCivics curriculum is the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States. The Eighth Amendment is also mentioned, as it limits unjust and inhumane punishments for crimes. The Fourteenth Amendment is discussed for its role in defining citizenship and providing equal protection under the law. The Nineteenth Amendment, which protected women's right to vote nationwide, is another important amendment covered in the curriculum.
Additionally, the iCivics curriculum explores the Tenth and Eleventh Amendments, which protect the powers of the states. The Sixteenth Amendment, which made income taxes an official part of the Constitution, is also included. The Twenty-Fourth Amendment, which banned poll taxes in federal elections, is another amendment mentioned in the curriculum.
The iCivics curriculum on the Constitution utilizes various resources such as readings, activities, handouts, videos, and games to engage students and deepen their understanding of the amendments and their impact on citizens' rights. The curriculum aims to provide a comprehensive and accessible learning experience for students to grasp the key concepts and their relevance.
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The Constitution's influence on citizenship
The US Constitution has had a profound influence on the concept of citizenship, and the rights and responsibilities that come with it. The Constitution, created in 1787, was built on three key principles: federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances. While the original Constitution did not lay down a clear rule for citizenship, it did assume the existence of both state and national citizenship.
The Fourteenth Amendment, adopted in 1868, is particularly significant when it comes to citizenship. The Citizenship Clause, in the first sentence of this amendment, defines citizenship: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside." This clause was important in reversing a previous ruling, Dred Scott v. Sandford, which had declared that African Americans were not and could not become citizens. The Fourteenth Amendment also ensured equal protection under the law, regardless of race, and gave citizens rights and privileges, such as the right to vote for women.
The Constitution also outlines the process of naturalization, by which immigrants are granted citizenship. The Naturalization Clause gives Congress the power to confer citizenship. However, the exact intent of this clause has been interpreted in different ways. The Citizenship Clause also does not address the acquisition of citizenship for those born in US territories or on vessels in US territorial waters, leaving some questions unanswered.
The influence of the Constitution on citizenship is also seen in the rights it guarantees. The Bill of Rights, for example, outlines the rights of citizens, such as the freedom from inhumane punishment and the freedom from poll taxes in federal elections. The Constitution's amendments have further expanded and protected the rights of citizens, such as abolishing slavery and ensuring income taxes are part of the Constitution.
In conclusion, the US Constitution has had a significant influence on citizenship, from defining who is a citizen to outlining the rights and responsibilities that come with citizenship. The Constitution's amendments, such as the Fourteenth, have further shaped and expanded the understanding of citizenship, ensuring equal protection and rights for all citizens.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution is the supreme law of the land in the United States, outlining a new plan for government. It was created by a convention in Philadelphia in May 1787 to amend the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution.
The Constitution is built on three key principles: federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances.
Some key amendments to the Constitution include the Eighth Amendment, which limits unjust and inhumane punishments for crimes, the Fourteenth Amendment, which defined citizenship, and the Nineteenth Amendment, which protected the right to vote for women.
The Constitution establishes the powers and limitations of the three branches of the U.S. government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Article I grants powers to Congress, Article II creates the office of the President, and Article III establishes judicial power.
