The Constitution of the United States Read the…

The Constitution of the United States Read the…

The Constitution of the United States

Read the Constitution of the US in the back of your textbook then answer the following question as a complete essay.
From the Constitution, what are the three branches of government that are defined? What are the purposes and duties of each? How do the three branches of government provide a "checks and balances" system for the U.S. government? What is the political importance of the Constitution of the U.S.? What does it establish that was different from any other form of government in existence at the time?

James Madison: The Federalist No. 10

Read the excerpt from the Federalist Papers then answer the following question as a complete essay. 
What is a "faction"? What are Madison's two solutions for dealing with factions? Which one works in his opinion? What is a republic versus a democracy? How does Madison show that the best way to deal with factions is to provide a republican form of government?

The Bill of Rights

Read the Bill of Rights then answer the following question as a complete essay.

What is the Bill of Rights? Why was it written? What lasting effects do they have on the way the U.S. government treats its people? For each of the 10 amendments to the Constitution, describe in your own words what it says.


The Bill of Rights
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep
and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in
time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable
searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause,
supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons
or things to be seized.

Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment
or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when
in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence
to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness
against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall
private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an
impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall
have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation;
to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in
his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by
jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the
United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments
inflicted.

Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage
others retained by the people.

Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are
reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.