The Constitution became the new plan for government for the United States of America. It explained how the new government should be set up and run. Amendments or written changes, were added to the Constitution as they were needed. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were added two years after the Constitution was approved.
The Constitution has been in use for over two hundred years. It worked even though the country has changed from a small farming nation to a powerful, modern nation. When we celebrate Independence Day on July fourth, we are celebrating the success of our Constitution.
Questions to think about in this chapter:
1. What are the goals described in the Preamble to the United States Constitution?
2. Explain the power given to each of the three branches of government in the first three articles?
3. Name the rights given to the states in article four?
4. Describe the process for amending the Constitution in article five?
5. Identify the rights and freedoms guaranteed to American citizens by the Bill of Rights?
6. Identify the changes made in the Constitution in Amendments 11 through 27?