8.01 51 Constitutions?

8.01 51 Constitutions?

Federal and State Constitutions

The United States has a system of government called federalism. This means power is shared between national and state governments. The national government is also called the federal government.

federalism- distribution of powers between national and state governments

Federal and State Constitutions

The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land, so it applies to all states. However, each state has its own government and its own state constitution. The U.S. and state constitutions have some similarities.

state constitution- document that outlines governmental structure, political processes, and limitations on the use of power by a state

Multiple Choice

Each state has its own constitution.

• True

• False

The U.S. Constitution

The U.S. Constitution outlines the structure, function, powers, and purpose of the national government. Powers that are not specifically assigned to the national government belong to the states. Each state’s constitution outlines how its state government powers will work. State constitutions explain the structure, function, and purpose of the state government.

The U.S. Constitution

• Shorter and less detailed

• There has only ever been one national Constitution

• The preamble explains the vision and mission of the national government

• The 7 articles outline the functions and structure of the national government

• The Bill of Rights is included as the first 10 amendments of the Constitution

• Amendments can be made, but the process is longer than at the state level

State Constitutions

The state can grant rights beyond those outlined by the U.S. Constitution. State constitutions include a list of rights that all citizens have. This is called a bill of rights or a declaration of rights. State constitutions also contain a plan for the division of the state government into three branches, similar to the national government's divisions.

Multiple Select

What are the three branches of government?

• Legislative

• Executive

• Judicial

• Congress

Most state constitutions contain certain things:

• Preamble explaining the purpose of the constitution

• List of powers of the state government

• Structure of the three branches of government

• Bill of rights or declaration of rights to help protect everyone's rights in the state

• Checks and balances to prevent any branch from being more powerful than the other

• Process for reviewing and amending the constitution 

  
  

Multiple Choice

The ________________ explains the purpose of the constitution.

• Preamble

• conclusion

• Bill of Rights

• checks and balances

Multiple Choice

__________________ prevent any branch from being more powerful than the other.

• Preamble

• Checks and balances

• Bill of RIghts

State Consitutions

State constitutions share similar features, but they are not the same. Each state's constitution is written to address the unique issues that are important to that state's citizens.

Multiple Choice

All state constitutions are the same.

• True

• False

FUN FACT

For example, the Constitution of Alabama includes protection for the loss of peanut crops from bad weather or disease. Such a rule would not be useful in a state like Alaska, where peanuts are not grown. 

State Flags

Every state also has its own state flag. This is Pennsylvania's state flag. It has symbols on it that represent the state. The eagle on top of the shield represents the state's loyalty to the United States. What does your state's flag look like?

South Carolina

The flag of South Carolina is a symbol of the U.S. state of South Carolina consisting of a blue field with a white palmetto tree and white crescent.

State constitutions have a lot in common. But no two state constitutions are the same. The Massachusetts state constitution is the oldest. Alabama has the longest state constitution, and Vermont has the shortest.

What did we learn?

A constitution describes the rules and organization of a government. The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the United States. Each state has its own government and its own constitution that defines the structure, function, and purpose of the state government. State constitutions share many similarities, but each is written to meet the unique needs of the state and its citizens.  

Multiple Choice

A constitution describes the rules and organization of a government.

• True

• False