The American Constitution: The American Constitution and the Party System

The Great Debate

Constitution continued debate within the states over states’ rights, individual rights, and functional organization

Broke United States into TWO political parties: Federalists and Anti-Federalists

The Birth of Political Parties: The PlayersFederalistsAlexander Hamilton Beliefs in Government

– Rule by rich and well educated– New government should favor

merchants, manufacturers, and lawyers

– Strong central government with a strong president

– Favored industry– Wanted strong alliance with Britain– Centralized banking and create debt

spending– Cynical– Loose interpretation of the

Constitution The North

Anti-FederalistsThomas Jefferson Beliefs in Government

– Rule by everybody– New government should favor

farmers, artisans, and poor classes– Weak central government, power

given to the states to reflect individual interests

– Favored agriculture and farming– Wanted strong alliance with France– Low taxes, small tariffs– Idealistic– Strict interpretation of the

Constitution The South

Match the quote with the Party: Federalist or Anti-Fed?

1. “Your people, sir, are beasts…Take mankind in general, they are vicious.”

2. “The sheep are happier of themselves, than under the care of wolves.”

3. “Rich should be in charge, because they can’t be bribed.”

4. “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.”5. “All societies need a governing class.”6. “All men are created equal.”

Who are you?

Consider the times and these beliefs: What political party would you support? The Federalists or the Anti-Federalists? Explain your answer.

Political Vocabulary Ratify: To agree to, To sign Amend: To add to Veto: To refuse to sign Bill: Proposed law Suffrage: Right to vote Bicameral: Two house congress Impeachment: Process of trial of a governmental

official for accused wrong doing Cabinet: Advisors to the President

The Principles of the United States Constitution

September 22, 2014

Objectives: Students will be able to identify the 6 Principles of the Constitution.

Question: Define the terms: fiscal, furlough-use them in a sentence.

Agenda: Notes/Worksheet –Homework: Read Chapter 3 Section 1

Quiz tomorrow

I. Popular Sovereignty

The people hold the ultimate authority– A representative democracy lets the people elect

leaders to make decisions for them.• Sen. Patty Murray (D), Sen. Maria Cantwell (D) and Rep.

Adam Smith (D) are our elected officials in Congress

II. Limited Government

Framers wanted to guard against tyranny– Government is limited to the power given them in

the Constitution.

– The Constitution tells how leaders who overstep their power can be removed

III. Federalism

The division of power between State and National Governments– Some powers are shared (i.e. power to tax)– The National Government has the “supreme

power” Challenges to federalism:

– Same sex marriage (why?)– Medicinal Marijuana (why?)– Others?

IV. Separation of Powers

No one branch holds “too much” power– Legislative branch makes the laws– Executive branch carries out the laws– Judicial branch interprets the laws

The American Constitution

Constitution divided into two parts– Articles--rights of

government (7 Articles)

– Amendments--rights of individual (27 Amendments)

Government and Man

Articles I-III– Separates power into

three branches of government

– Art. I-Leg.; Art. II-Exec.; Art. III-Judic.

Articles IV-VII– Power of Law

– Power of Constitution

Amendments I-X– Bill of Rights

Amendment XI-XII– Organization of Government

Amendment XIII-XV– Civil Rights Amendments

– Slave Amendments Amendments XVI-XIX

– Progressive Amendments Amendments XX-XXI

– New Deal Amendments Amendments XXII-XXVII

– Great Society Amendments

Article I: The Legislature

A.K.A. Congress, The Legislative Branch, The Lawmakers

Bicameral

– Upper House=Senate (2 per state, 100 total)

• 6 year term

• Led by the V.P. or Pres. Pro-Tempore

– Lower House=House of Representatives (proportional to population, 435 total--CA has 54)

• 2 year term

• Led by Speaker of the House

– President of Congress=Vice President of the United States of AmericaThe U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.

Legislative Powers Make laws Collect taxes Borrow and coin money Establish immigration policy Declare war and raise armies Approves treaties Control interstate activities

(trade, marriage, etc) ****To do ANYTHING

NECESSARY AND PROPER (The Elastic Clause)

Congress works at the Capitol Building in Washington D.C.

Legislative Branch

Senate and House of Representatives make our laws– Appropriate Money– Regulate Immigration– Establish Post Offices and Roads– Regulate Interstate Commerce and

Transportation– Declare War

How YOU can be a Congress-person! Age 25 (H. of R.); 30 (Senate) Live 7 years (H. of R.); 9 years (Senate) in

your state Have a lot of money for campaign

– Be independently wealthy– Have people contribute money/support

campaign

What would make you run for a political office?

How YOU can be a Congress-person! Age 25 (H. of R.); 30 (Senate) Live 7 years (H. of R.); 9 years (Senate) in

your state Have a lot of money for campaign

– Be independently wealthy– Have people contribute money/support

campaign

What would make you run for a political office?

Article II: The Executive

A.K.A. The President, The Commander-in-Chief, The Pres.

Term: 4 years, 2 term limit

President Vice PresidentCabinet (Sec. of State,

etc.)

Executive Power

Commander-in-Chief of American military

Execute law, sign/veto law

Make treaties Appoint judges

How YOU can be the Pres.

Be at least 35 years old Be a natural born citizen Live in the U.S. for at least 14 years Have even more money for campaign than

Congress-person

Executive Branch

The President of the United States– Chief Executive– Chief Legislator/Economic Planner– Chief Diplomat– Commander in Chief– Head of State

Article III: The Judicial A.K.A. The Bench, The

Courts, The Judiciary Term: Life Organization:

– Constitution

– Supreme Court

– Federal Courts

– State Courts

Judicial Power

Interprets law Reviews

“constitutionality” of laws

Reviews lower court cases

Preserves balance against political parties

Interpretation

“Loose Interpretation” A.K.A. “Loose Construction of

Constitution”– Interpretation of Constitution

must be flexible– People change, society

changes, technology changes-->Constitution must adapt

– What the Constitution doesn’t say EXPLICITY, the branches of government can do

“Federalists” “Liberals”

“Strict Interpretation” A.K.A. “Strict Construction of

Constitution”– Constitution should remain

the constant– The Constitution must be the

measure of social, ethical, and moral change

– Government can ONLY do what the Constitution EXPLICITLY says

“Anti-Federalists” “Conservatives”

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court and other Federal Courts– Preserve and protect the rights guaranteed by

the Constitution– Considers cases involving national laws– Declares laws and Acts “unconstitutional”

V. Checks and Balances

Prevents the abuse of power in government– Each branch can check each other branch

• Example: Supreme Court nomination process:

President nominates (executive branch checking power of judicial branch)

Senate Confirms

(legislative branch checking the power of exec. Branch)

Executive Checks

Propose laws to Congress Veto laws made by Congress Negotiate foreign treaties Appoint federal judges Grant pardons to federal offenders

Legislative Checks

Override president’s veto Ratify treaties Confirm executive appointments Impeach federal officers and judges Create and dissolve lower federal courts

Judicial Checks

Declare executive acts unconstitutional Declare laws unconstitutional Declare acts of Congress unconstitutional

VI. Judicial Review

The Supreme Court holds the final check

The court has the power to strike down laws, to overturn executive acts, or order a public official to act in a certain manner if it believes the law or act to be unconstitutional.

Closing Question

Which of the six principles do you feel is most important? Why? Explain your answer in a complete sentence.

Review: 6 Principles of the ConstitutionReview: 6 Principles of the Constitution

Come up with a contemporary example for each principle, then choose one and draw a political cartoon that demonstrates that principle. Cartoon must include humor! DUE on Wednesday!!!

1. Popular Sovereignty 2. Limited Government 3. Federalism 4. Separation of Powers 5. Checks and Balances 6. Judicial Review