Montana's State Constitution: Rights, Structure, and History
Montana’s State
Constitution
What is a
constitution?
•
Sets out the principles of
government
•
Explains how the government is
going to be organized
•
Lists the rights the government
cannot take away
History
What’s In the Constitution: The Preamble
•
The Preamble explains the purpose of the document. It’s the
introduction.
“We the people of Montana grateful to God for the
quiet beauty of our state, the grandeur of our
mountains, the vastness of our rolling plains, and
desiring to improve the quality of life, equality of
opportunity and to secure the blessings of liberty
for this and future generations, do ordain and
establish this constitution.”
Article I:
Compact
with the
United
States
•
Article I explains the relation between
Montana and the United States.
•
It also says that the state doesn’t have any
control over Indian land.
Article II.
Declaration
of Rights
These include the rights to:
•
Govern ourselves
•
Practice any religion (or not practice any religion)
•
Gather and peacefully protest
•
Speak freely about issues
•
Participate in government
•
Know what the government is doing
•
Privacy
•
Bear arms (guns)
•
Vote
•
Legal rights (for example, your rights if you are accused
of a crime)
•
Not to be discriminated against because of your gender,
race, culture, background, or political or religious ideas
•
A clean and healthful environment
What else is
in the
constitution?
It establishes:
•
How the government should be set up—
with legislative, executive, and judicial
branches
•
How laws are passed
•
Who can vote and run for office
•
How the government can get money (taxes
for example) and spend it
The
Constitution
tells the
state it must
•
Maintain a clean and healthful environment
•
Guarantee free K-12 education
•
Preserve Montanans’ ability to hunt and fish
•
Teach about and help preserve the unique
cultural heritage of American Indians
•
Set up institutions needed for the public
good (like veterans’ homes)
Article XIV:
Constitutional Revision
Sets up rules for changing the constitution—so if
we don’t like it, there’s a way to change it!
For more information visit:
https://mhs.mt.gov/education/Educators
Or phone 406-444-4789
The Montana State Constitution sets out the principles of government, explains its organization, and lists rights that cannot be infringed. It includes the Preamble, Article I on the state's relationship with the United States, and Article II which declares rights such as self-governance, freedom of religion, and more. It establishes government structure, voting rights, taxation, and environmental protections. Learn about the essential aspects and significance of Montana's constitution.
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Presentation Transcript
Montanas State Constitution
Sets out the principles of government Explains how the government is going to be organized Lists the rights the government cannot take away What is a constitution?
Whats In the Constitution: The Preamble The Preamble explains the purpose of the document. It s the introduction. We the people of Montana grateful to God for the quiet beauty of our state, the grandeur of our mountains, the vastness of our rolling plains, and desiring to improve the quality of life, equality of opportunity and to secure the blessings of liberty for this and future generations, do ordain and establish this constitution.
Article I: Compact with the United States Article I explains the relation between Montana and the United States. It also says that the state doesn t have any control over Indian land.
These include the rights to: Govern ourselves Practice any religion (or not practice any religion) Gather and peacefully protest Speak freely about issues Participate in government Know what the government is doing Privacy Bear arms (guns) Vote Legal rights (for example, your rights if you are accused of a crime) Not to be discriminated against because of your gender, race, culture, background, or political or religious ideas A clean and healthful environment Article II. Declaration of Rights
It establishes: How the government should be set up with legislative, executive, and judicial branches How laws are passed Who can vote and run for office How the government can get money (taxes for example) and spend it What else is in the constitution?
Maintain a clean and healthful environment Guarantee free K-12 education Preserve Montanans ability to hunt and fish Teach about and help preserve the unique cultural heritage of American Indians Set up institutions needed for the public good (like veterans homes) The Constitution tells the state it must
Article XIV: Constitutional Revision Sets up rules for changing the constitution so if we don t like it, there s a way to change it!
For more information visit: https://mhs.mt.gov/education/Educators Or phone 406-444-4789
