The Constitution

"The Rule Book"

7 Major principles of the U.S. Constitution

7 principles(ideas) on which the CONSTITUTION is built:

Popular Sovereignty

• Authority of the people • Government by the consent of the governed Real World Example: Voting, Petitions

Republicanism

• people vote for Representatives (to work for them in the government) REAL WORLD EXAMPLE: Elections

Limited government

• Government would only have powers granted to it by the people • NO ONE is above the law.

Real World Example: Elected officials must obey laws (drunk driving, tax evasion)

Federalism -

• Power is shared between national/federal & states governments

• Expressed & implied – (Federal)• Reserved - State• Concurrent powers (shared powers)• Venn Diagram Activity

Separation of powers

• 3 branches of government

Circle Notes

Checks and Balances• Each branch can check & limit the power of the other branches. Not one can do much without the others.

Individual rights

• Bill of Rights! 1-10 Amendments• Protects basic liberties & rights.Real World Examples: Freedom of speech, press, religion, etc.

THE CONSTITUTION: BUILT ON PRINCIPLES

The Preamble: The intro; purpose of government; "We the People..."6 goals:

|1. more perfect union| |4. common defence|

|2. establish justice| |5. general welfare|

|3. ensure domestic tranquility | |6. Blessings of liberty| ARTICLES: How we meet those goals

|I - Legislative Branch| |V - Amendment process|

|II - Executive Branch| |VI - Debts, Supremacy, Oaths|

|III - Judicial Branch| |VII- Ratification| IV- The StatesAMENDMENTS: Improvements1-10 - Bill of Rights27 total.

FEDERALISM

Checks & Balances

A Living Constitution - How to Amend the Constitution

PROPOSED BY:2/3 vote of each house in CONGRESS

PROPOSED BY:National Convention called by congress at the request of 2/3 of state legislatures

RATIFIED BY:3/4 of State Legislatures

RATIFIED BY:3/4 of State Conventions

HOW TO PROPOSE: HOW TO RATIFY:

A Living Constitution - Interpretation

ELASTIC CLAUSE: ARTICLE 1 Section 8 - "make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper" for executing all the powers of government.

Interpreted to mean that Congress hasIMPLIED POWERS:

powers not defined in Constitution

and can useCOMMERCE CLAUSE:

regulation of airlines, radio, television, nuclear energy

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT - aka: national, central

CONGRESS:POWERS: makes laws; controls spending, declares warCHECKS: impeach any federal officials; override president's veto

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:-435 members- based on pop.-tax and spending bills-starts impeachment -25 years old-2 year terms

SENATE:-100 members - 2 per state.-ratify treaties-approve appointments-tries impeachment-30 years old-6 year terms (1/3 every 2 yrs)

ARTICLE 1 - The Legislative Branch - makes laws, imposes taxes, and declares war.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT - aka: national, centralARTICLE 2 - The Executive Branch - carries out the lawsPRESIDENT: Man of many hats

|-Chief Diplomat | |-Chief Executive|

|-Commander in Chief| |-Chief of Party|

|-Head of State| |-Watchdog of the economy|

|-Legislative Leader|

CHECKS: appoints supreme court justices, can veto bills written by congress.VICE PRESIDENT: president of SenateCABINET: advise the president on issues related to dept.

|-Sec. of State, Sec. of Defence, Sec. of Interior, Sec. of Health & Human Services, Sec. of Energy, Attorney General.|

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT - aka: national, centralARTICLE 3 - The Judicial Branch - Interprets the Law

SUPREME COURT - 1 chief justice & 8 associate justices.

|-chooses to hear cases from lower courts - writes decisions|

|as opinions. |

|-Solves disputes between states.|

|-| JUDICIAL REVIEW: power to declare a law

|unconstitutional.|

-district courts: 91 courts; hear cases related to federal laws

-appeals courts: 14 courts; review district court decisions

Rights & Citizen Participation