Unit 11

The Constitution

In the previous unit, we learned that the Founding Fathers created a new form of government with the Constitution. In this unit you will learn about the how that government actually works. We have a democratic republic with three branches, each of which has a very specific set of duties and powers. The writers of the Constitution anticipated that the needs of the country may change in the future, so they created a system by which the Constitution can be amended. We will explore how the first major change to the Constitution, our Bill of Rights, ensures that the unalienable rights of US citizens are preserved and protected. In return, we as citizens have the responsibility to preserve and protect our great Constitution, and to ensure that the political leaders that we elect are committed to upholding the standards set fourth by the founding generation.

Guiding Questions for Unit 11

- How does the Preamble identify the purposes of the U.S. Constitution?
- What are the roles and powers of the three branches of government under the U.S. Constitution?
- How does the separation of powers and system of checks and balances prevent governmental abuse and tyranny?
- What are the major principles of the U.S. Constitution and how do they affect the structure of our government?
- How has the Bill of Rights and amendment process ensured the Constitution has been able to endure changes in American society?