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Fuller Middle School: Mrs. Machado: Federal Government

tutorials and other helpful information

Separation of Powers: The Three Branches of Government

The Constitution

The United States "has the oldest written constitution among the major countries of the world. Moreover, the U.S. Constitution was the first in history to specifically limit the powers that the federal government would be able to exercise over its citizens" (Encyclopaedia Britannica). The first constitution of the United States was called the Articles of Confederation.

 
Overview of the Constitution

"United States Constitution."Gale Elementary Online Collection, Gale, part of Cengage Group, 2020. 
More information

"United States Constitution." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 21 Oct. 2022. 
What does the United States Constitution say?

National Archives. “The Constitution: What Does It Say?” National Archives, 30 Mar. 2016.
Image and Text of the Constitution as ratified by the Constitutional Convention on Sept. 17, 1787 

“We, the People of the United States, in Order to Form a More Perfect Union ...” The Library of Congress, 2015, www.loc.gov/item/90898138/.

The Preamble

The Preamble, or introduction, to the U.S. Constitution lists the purposes for which the new government of the United States of America was established. It begins with “We the People,” emphasizing that the people of the country—not a king or other ruler—are the power creating the U.S. government.

What is the preamble?

"United States government." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 14 Sep. 2022.
Annotations about the Preamble
  • Pre.1 Overview of the Preamble
  • Pre.2 Historical Background on the Preamble
  • Pre.3 Legal Effect of the Preamble

The Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments of the United States Constitution are known collectively as the Bill of Rights.

Click on each amendment to read the original text and an explanation of what it means.
Overview of the Bill of Rights

"Bill of rights." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 21 Oct. 2022.
December 15, 1791: The U.S. adopted the Bill of Rights

Library of Congress. “The New United States of America Adopted the Bill of Rights.” 
The Bill of Rights: What does it say?

National Archives. “The Bill of Rights: What Does It Say?” National Archives, The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 12 Oct. 2016.

 

Books in the Library

Levels of Government