Our Living Constitution (SOL CE 2C and D) 2015 Standards

Match the following

• Amendment

• Any change that is made to the U.S. or Virginia Constitution.

• Preamble

• Perfect Union, Common Defense, General Welfare, Justice, and Liberty

• Process to Amend Virginia Constitution

• 2/3 Vote of Congress and 3/4 vote of the States

• Process to Amend U.S. Constitution

• Vote of the General Assembly and Vote of the People of Virginia

• Purposes of U.S. Government

• The introduction to the Constitution which lists the purposes of the U.S. government.

Tags

CE.2.c

CE.2.d

The purposes of the U.S. Government listed in the Preamble are to form a more (a)   , establish ​ (b)   , provide for the ​ (c)   , promote the ​ (d)   ​ ​ , and ensure the blessings of ​ (e)   and prosperity to ourselves and our posterity.

• perfect union
• justice
• common defense
• general welfare
• liberty
• independence
• warfare
• state's rights
• federal government

Answer explanation

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

• -Preamble to the U.S. Constitution

• This simple statement plainly states the purposes of the creation of our government and writing the U.S. Constitution.

Tags

CE.2.c

Please identify the steps of making a change to the U.S. or Virginia Constitutions

Groups:

(a) Proposing Amendment U.S. Constitution

,

(b) Proposing Amendment VA Constitution

,

(c) Ratifying Amendment US Constitution

,

(d) Ratifying Amendment VA Constitution

• 2/3 vote of the U.S. Congress

• 2/3 vote of a National Constitutional Convention

• Vote of a State Constitutional Convention

• Vote of the Registered Voters of Virginia

• 3/4 Vote of the States / State Legislatures

• Vote of the Virginia General Assembly

Answer explanation

The process for amending the U.S. Constitution is it is proposed by Congress or Convention then ratified by the states. For the Virginia Constitution it is proposed by General Assembly or Convention then ratified by the voters. The process is long and complex for the U.S. Constitution which is why there have been so few amendments.

Tags

CE.2.d

The Preamble is important because it...

• Describes the structure of the U.S. government.

• Outlines the freedoms and protections individuals have.

• Establishes independence from Great Britain.

• Sets out the purposes of the government and reasons for writing the Constitution.

Answer explanation

The Preamble basically sums up why we have a government. Remember the Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation so the writers thought it was important to explain why they made the change and what they wanted to accomplish this new government (the purposes). Briefly summing up, something Mr. Hollifield sometimes struggles to do himself with these explanations.

Tags

CE.2.c

The federal court system best meets what purpose stated in the Preamble to the Constitution?

• Form a more perfect union.

• Establish justice.

• Promote the general welfare.

• Provide for common defense.

Answer explanation

The court system is designed with protections and rules which is supposed to ensure equal treatment of individuals when they have been accused of breaking a law or if they feel someone has committed an offense on them. This system is designed then to create justice or equal treatment under the laws for all.

Tags

CE.2.c

The first three words to the U.S. Constitution establish that...

• The branches of government.

• The limitations on individual rights.

• The power of the government shall come from the people.

• The system to make changes to the U.S. Constitution.

Answer explanation

The Constitution begins with the words "We the People" because it was really important to the founders to remind the people that this government ruled with our consent not like a King who rules based on position. A government based on consent operates to serve the people's wishes not the wishes of those in charge and must follow the rules the people have given it.

Tags

CE.2.c

Why have there been so few amendments made to the U.S. Constitution so far?

• The process to make an amendment is long and complex.

• There have been few changes to society of the United States since the Constitution was written.

• The President often refuses to approve amendments after they have been proposed.

• The Constitution specifically limits the number of amendments that may be made to it.

Answer explanation

Amendments are challenging because they require the national government and the states to believe that something is necessary. The process is difficult and needs widespread support in order to be completed. This complex and challenging process means we have very few amendments and is why we have had none in over 30 years.

Tags

CE.2.d

Please answer this released question from the Virginia Civics and Economics SOL.

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

One of the major concerns with the Articles of Confederation was that the states weren't united and often acted against each other. The Constitution made the national government stronger so that all states under this new government formed a better union.

Tags

CE.2.c

Please answer this released question from the Virginia Civics and Economics SOL.

• F

• G

• H

• J

Answer explanation

Amendments are one of the most challenging pieces of legislation to accomplish. First you have to have 2/3 of the U.S. Congress in support to propose it. Then 3/4 of the state legislatures or state conventions have to pass it to ratify it. Do you think there are many things 75% of the people in this country agree on?

Tags

CE.2.d

Please answer the released question from the Virginia Civics and Economics SOL.

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

Amendments are not easy to make for good reason. The Constitution is the a government that oversees the lives of over 220 million people. The founders wanted a stable government for our growing nation, but they left the complex process available because they knew there would be changes they could not foresee. So while difficult it is a possibility which is important as many rights we take for granted now started as long and difficult amendment processes.

Tags

CE.2.d