Learning Objectives: Understand the structure, purpose, and principles of the U.S. Constitution. Analyze how the Constitution balances power between branches and levels of government. Explore how constitutional interpretation affects law and society. Identify how political manipulation, judicial activism, and ignorance distort constitutional governance. Part 1: The Origin and Purpose of the U.S. Constitution The U.S. Constitution is not just a historical document—it is the nation’s instruction manual, a living framework that defines how government operates, how rights are protected, and how power is distributed. Written in 1787 and ratified in 1788, the Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation and addressed the weaknesses of a loosely connected confederacy. Why a Constitution Was Necessary: After independence from Britain, the U.S. struggled under the Articles of Confederation, which lacked a strong central government. States operated like mini-countries, o...