Bell Ringer – Articles of the Constitution

1. This branch of our government that interprets the law?

2. This branch of our government makes the law?

3. This branch of our government enforces the law?

4. Name the two houses of Congress.

Breakdown of the ConstitutionPreamble – States Purpose of the DocumentArticle I – The Legislative Branch (Senate and House of Representatives – Qualifications and Powers of)Article II – The Executive Branch (President and Vice President, Qualifications, Powers, Duties, Impeachment of) Article III –The Judicial Branch (Supreme Court and Lower Courts, Jurisdiction, and Treason Defined)Article IV –Relations Among States (Full Faith and Credit, New States Admitted Article V - The Amendment Process (Changing the Constitution)Article VI –National Debts, Supremacy Clause, Oaths of OfficeArticle VII- Process for Ratification (How it was adopted)

Basic Principles of the ConstitutionPopular Sovereignty – Power is derived from the people (voting)Limited Government – The only powers the government has is what the Constitution gives it. No one person or branch is all-powerful.Federalism – The federal, state, and local governments all share the power to govern. The federal government is supreme!Separation of Powers – Three branches of government: Legislative (Makes Laws), Executive (Enforces Laws), and Judicial (Interprets Laws)Checks and Balances – Each branch can limit the power of or check the other two (Veto Power, Power of Appointment (Cabinet Positions, Justices, etc.), Impeachment, Judicial Review, Pardon Power, etc.)Republican Government – Citizens elect representatives (legislators) to make laws for them. We do not have a direct democracy, but a representative one.Individual Rights – The Constitution and Bill of Rights protect citizens’ basic or Natural Rights (Life, Liberty, and Property).Amendment Process – The Constitution can be changed if necessary. To date this has only happened 27 times. The last Amendment was ratified in 1992.

Separation of Powers

Federalism Tic-Tac-Toe!National

Executive

President of U.S.

Legislative

Senate & H of R

Judicial

Supreme Court

State

Governor State Legislature State Supreme Court

Local

Mayor/ Judge Executive

City Council/ County Commissioner

Local and Circuit Courts

Federal Powers:• Armed Forces• Coining money• Regulated

trade• Making treaties

Powers RESERVED for states:• Health & Safety

matters• Marriage/divorce

laws• Business

regulation• Licensing of

professions

Both State & Federal:• Building roads• Borrowing

money• Collecting taxes• Operating

courts

15th Amendment--gave voting rights to freed slaves after the civil war.

19th Amendment--gave women the right to vote.

Example: The Necessary & Proper clause has been used to regulate industries that were unseen in 1789:

auto industry, telecommunications, airline safety ECT...

Brown v Board of Ed. allowing for the desegregation of schools

Article V – The Amendment Process

Amendment means to change.The framers were afraid of quick change. That is why the process is difficult, but not impossible as it was under the Articles.To date the Constitution has only been amended 27 times – last in 1992.

Two Ways to Propose an Amendment

1. 2/3 of both houses of Congress can propose one.

2. 2/3 of the states can call a constitutional convention and propose one.

• You must know this: 2/3 to propose!

Two Ways to Ratify and Amendment

• Ratify means to adopt or formally approve.

1. ¾ of the state legislatures must approve.

2. ¾ of the states must call individual constitutional conventions to approve.

• You must know this: ¾ to ratify!

Exit Slip – Basic Principles of the Constitution

1. When the President refuses to sign a bill passed by Congress into law he used which check and balance?A. Cloture B. Filibuster C. Impeachment D. Veto

2. The power of the Supreme Court to decide the constitutionality of federal law is calledA. Jurisdiction B. Judicial Review C. trial by jury D. Appointment

3. Which house of Congress has the power to approve Presidential appointments?A. House of Representatives B. Senate C. Run’s House

4. Which house has the sole power of impeachment? A. House of Representatives B. Senate C. White House