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U. S. Constitution: U.S. Constitution
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The intention of the U.S. Constitution in establishing a bicameral Congress was that each chamber would serve as a check on the other. The larger and more frequently elected House of Representatives would more directly reflect changing public opinion, while the smaller Senate, whose members serve longer terms, would serve as a more level-headed and deliberative body. At the same time, the House's rules and procedures for introducing and debating bills are much more strict than those of the Senate. Although it is often thought of as the lower chamber of Congress, the House has some powers that the Senate doesn't. For example, all appropriations bills must originate in the House. In addition, the House can impeach officials, and has the power to elect the President in the case of a tie in the electoral college.
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Now over 200 years old, the U.S. Constitution and its basic tenets remain the same and continue to be challenged through the legal system. During the drafting of the Constitution, the Constitutional Convention pointed at issues including how much power to allow the central government, how many representatives in Congress to allow each state, and how these representatives should be elected—directly by the people or by the state legislators. Learn more about how the delegates debated, and redrafted the articles of the new Constitution through the research materials listed below. The terms and phrases listed in the subject headings below can be used to search for more materials in the library's catalog and research databases. If you need further assistance, please ask a librarian.
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The U.S. Constitution was prepared in secret, behind locked doors that were guarded by sentries. Some of the original framers and many delegates in the state ratifying conventions were very troubled that the original Constitution lacked a description of individual rights. In 1791, Americans added a list of rights to the Constitution. The first ten amendments became known as The Bill of Rights.
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The National Constitution Center, located at 525 Arch St. on Philadelphia's Independence Mall, is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing public understanding of the U.S. Constitution and the ideas and values it represents. The Constitution Center is a museum, an education center, and a forum for debate on constitutional issues. The museum dramatically tells the story of the Constitution from Revolutionary times to the present through more than 100 interactive, multimedia exhibits, film, photographs, text, sculpture and artifacts, and features a powerful, award-winning theatrical performance, "Freedom Rising." The Center ... houses the Annenberg Center for Education and Outreach, which serves as the hub for national constitutional education. For more information, call 215.409.6700 or visit http://www.constitutioncenter.org/.
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The U.S. Constitution went into effect in 1789. Use the printables, references, and lessons below to examine the significance of this document in American history. Teach your students about its writing and explore the meaning of democracy with cross-curricular activities for elementary, intermediate, and high school students. There are resources on the Bill of Rights and other constitutional amendments to help educate students of all ages about their civil rights.
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The U.S. Constitution, which should be confused with the U.S.S. Constitution, or, "Old Ironsides", consists of a series of lettres d'amour between Thomas Paine and Alexander Hamilton, which were often carried between the star-struck lovers by their mutual friend Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson frequently opened these little notes and edited them for content.
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U.S. Constitution