Principles of GPA.. Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Images and

Development of the Constitution

Principles of GPA.

Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved.Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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Declaration of Independence

33

• The decision to declare a complete break in the political connection between the 13 United Colonies and Great Britain

• Written and agreed to in 1776 – after spirited debate


Declaration of Independence (continued)

44

• Before this time, no political system had ever been founded on the belief that

– The people should rule instead of being ruled

– Every person is important as an individual, created equal, and endowed with certain unalienable rights

– Government should be by the consent of the governed


• The nation’s fundamental law, the “supreme law of the land”

• Sets the framework for the government • Written in 1787, took effect in 1789• Has guided the nation through more than

two centuries of tremendous growth and change

Constitution of the United States

55


66

• Based on six main principles:‒ Federalism

‒ Popular sovereignty

‒ Limited government

‒ Separation of powers

‒ Checks and balances

‒ Judicial review

Constitution of the United States (continued)



77

• Organization

– Preamble – a short introduction stating the purpose of the Constitution

– Seven articles

– 27 amendments



88

• Beliefs behind the Constitution

– Governmental power poses a threat to individual liberty

– The exercise of governmental power must be restrained

– Dividing governmental powers curbs that power and prevents its abuse


99

• Formal process– Proposed by a 2/3 vote in each house of Congress and

ratified by 3/4 of the state legislatures

– Proposed by a 2/3 vote in each house of Congress and ratified by conventions in 3/4 of the states

– Proposed by a national convention, called by Congress at the request of 2/3 of the state legislatures and ratified by 3/4 of the state legislatures

– Proposed by a national convention and ratified in by conventions in 3/4 of the states

Amending the Constitution


Amending the Constitution(continued)

1010

• Informal– Passage of basic legislation by Congress

– Exercising interpretive power

• Establishing federal courts, other than the Supreme Court

• Writing laws based on its power to regulate foreign and interstate commerce


1111

• Informal (continued):– Actions taken by the President, i.e.

• Declaring war without a declaration from Congress

• Using executive agreements instead of treaties, which must be approved by the Senate



1212

• Informal (continued):– Key decisions of the Supreme Court

• Interpreting and applying the Constitution in the cases it hears

• Established judicial review, not spelled out in the Constitution




1313

• Informal (continued):– Activities of the political parties

• The Constitution makes no mention of political parties; many of the framers of the Constitution were opposed to them because of their divisive effect

• The major parties from the 1830s have held national conventions to nominate presidential candidates – this process was not spelled out in the Constitution


1414

• Informal (continued):– Custom and usage

• Formation of the Cabinet – the heads of the 15 executive departments who advise the President

• Succession of the Vice President to the office (not just the duties) of President when the President dies in office



Resources• 9780133656329, Macgruder’s American

Government, McClenaghan, W., Pearson, Prentice Hall, 2008.

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Documents

Principles of GPA.. Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Images and