Ashley Coleman

Period 2

6/13/12

The Constitution

Our forefathers set forth a set of rules and guidelines created to govern and protect our great nation. They established what would be the most important document in our history known as the United states Constitution. The Constitution is the framework for our government establishing rules that the U.S. government must follow. This set up the most fundamental principles of our society. The main goal of our nation is proclaimed in the preamble of the Constitution which states "We the people of the United States of America, 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."

The Constitution is made up of five important principles which all of our laws are based off of, they are known as popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism. Making it possible to form a government that serves the people and prevents the abuse of power. The Constitution also helps set up the the Presidency, the Congress, and the Supreme Court which are all essential to running a functioning democracy. Without this document designed to protect our freedom by imposing law on those who wield political power we Americans would be under the constant threat of tyranny.

THE ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE - FREE EXERCISE CLAUSE

The first amendment to the constitution Protects the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press, as well as the right to assemble and petition the government. Which pretty much means that “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.”

The Establishment