Why did leading citizens of the United States deem it necessary to write the Constitution in 1787? What is the purpose of that document? What are the three branches of government and what are the duties of each? What is the Bill of Rights? Does the government have the power to take away those rights? What are the functions and powers of state governments vis-à-vis the federal government? What are the rights of a citizen stopped by authorities for a traffic violation?
Americans, including high school students, should be able to answer these questions and others like them. The rights and duties of citizenship, and in particular an understanding of our Constitution, are the bulwarks of our liberties.
