What is the world's oldest Constitution?
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:
Although the Magna Carta predates the The United States Constitution, it is NOT a constitution as much as a framework limiting the English king. Overall, what big story does the data from the infographic tell about the relative age of the American Constitution?
What about the U.S. Constitution allows it to be so long-lasting?
List three major technological changes or scientific breakthroughs since 1789.
While the United States has been governed by a single framework of government for over two centuries, France, in contrast, has had 10 separate and distinct constitutional orders (including five republics, two empires, a monarchy, and two dictatorships). The country of El Salvador has had 36 constitutions since 1824. At the same time, many of the problems and issues our nation faces today would have been unimaginable by the 55 White men who wrote the U.S. Constitution in 1789. Make a claim (argument) about whether having an old Constitution is a good thing.
Why is the U.S.. Constitution so hard to amend? Explain why only 17 Amendments (since the Bill of Rights) have been ratified.
What is one consequence of the difficulty of ratifying amendments to the U.S. Constitution?
If we couldn’t amend our Constitution would we still have our Constitution?
Make a claim about whether the amendment process should be more or less difficult.
55 White men attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Only 39 signed it. How does that make you feel about the legitimacy of the Constitution?
The original Constitution did not outlaw slavery and did not allow women to vote. How different do you think the Constitution would be if women and non-Whites had been able to draft it/vote on it?
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
Read about the constitutional amendment process, write a proposal for a new amendment to the constitution, and send it to your congressional representative.
Get Creative
What adjective best describes the U.S. Constitution?
Learning Extension
Check out this timeline of world Constitutions, then visit the National Constitution Center Website, and try to pass this Bill of Rights Quiz. Share your scores in class or online.
