Welcome to Itty Bitty City!

In Itty Bitty City all the Bitty's want to have fun, party, stay safe, and have a voice!

So they made rules also known as the Constitution.

Luiza       Big Quel       Gia

Together they will help explain how the constitution works.

So how does the Constitution work?

So it's basically a rule book, one person makes the laws, one person follows them, and another person checks the rules to make sure they're not crazy rules.

It splits the jobs into the 3 branches so that nobody gets too bossy.

Well why are there 3 different people?

Oh I see.

Look there's Gia!

Hi Gia!

Hi guys, what are ya'll talking about?

The three branches of the government.

Oh, I know all about them!

Perfect, tell Luiza about them.

In the Legislative branch Congress makes the laws!

For example: No littering

In the Executive Branch the President makes sure the rules are followed!

President Gia

Hey, Stop j-walking!

For example: No j-walking

In the Judicial Branch the Supreme Court decides if the rules are fair!

FOUL!

For example: No fouling

Referee Gia

They basically run our country!

No they do not run our country.

No the elected officials run our country.

I'm sure they do. I mean who else is going to do it you?

Well how do they do that?

When we vote for them they make the promise to.

The Promise:

1. Follow the Constitution

2. Help us as the people

3. Be fair and Honest

Elected Officials

Fine,  I believe you but I'm walking away from this conversation now.

What? No, you can't do that, that's like breaking the law!

Oh, but she can, it's the beauty of the Bill of Rights.

President Luiza

The Beauty? They're not even protecting me.

Yes they are!

The Bill of Rights Protect our freedoms to make sure everyone one is treated fairly. Also known as the first 10 amendments.

Amendment 1: Freedom of speech, religion, and press - you're allowed to share your own beliefs.

Amendment 2: Right to bear arms - you're allowed to protect yourself.

Amendment 3: No soldiers can stay without permission - you get a say in who's in your house.

Amendment 4: Unreasonable Search/Seizure - Police need to have a good reason for searching you.

Amendment 5: Right to Remain Silent - you're not forced to give evidence about what you did.

1st Amendment

2nd Amendment

3rd Amendment

Amendment 6: Fair and Quick Trials -protects people from delayed or secret trials.

Amendment 7: Jury Trials - allows for peers to decide the outcome of case.

Amendment 8: No cruel punishment.

Amendment 9: People have more rights than what in the constitution.

Amendment 10: States have power - limits the powers of the Federal Government (Federalism).

SPEEDY TRIAL

6th Amendment

7th Amendment

Im back!

Haha.

You mention Federalism, how does that work?