Why We Needed a Constitution

Mission Brief #33

Why We Needed a Constitution.

🎯 Your mission

Decide what YOU would do in their shoes.

⚡ The twist

A 'fair rule' for one group can be unfair for another.

Read

The U.S. government has three branches: legislative (makes laws), executive (enforces laws), and judicial (interprets laws). This separation prevents any one group from gaining too much power.

Key facts

Remember these

1The Constitution was written in 1787.
2Checks and balances limit power.
3The Bill of Rights has 10 amendments.

Timeline

When it happened

1781
The Articles of Confederation create a weak national government
1786
Shays' Rebellion breaks out in Massachusetts
1786
The Annapolis Convention calls for a meeting to fix the Articles
1787
Delegates write a new Constitution

Then & Now

🏛️ Knowing this makes you a better voter when you grow up.

Mind = blown

Without its amendments, the U.S. Constitution is only about 4,500 words long.

Question 1 of 2

What does the legislative branch do?

How sure?😐 maybe

Question 2 of 2

What is the Constitution?

How sure?😐 maybe

Nice work!

You got 0 of 2 right.

Next: The Constitutional Convention of 1787 All lessons

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🌍 Why this still matters: Your school has rules. Where do they come from? Who decides them?

🏆 Try this week: Watch a town meeting or council clip on YouTube for 5 minutes.

👨‍👩‍👧 At dinner: “What's one rule at our house you'd change if you could vote on it?”

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Why We Needed a Constitution

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