ideas of the constitution: sec. 1 three branches of government: sec. 2 a lasting document: sec. 3
TRANSCRIPT
The U.S. ConstitutionIdeas of the Constitution: Sec. 1
Three Branches of Government: Sec. 2A Lasting Document: Sec. 3
Pilgrims realized before they arrived in Massachusetts they would need Govt.
Mayflower Compact- Nov. 21, 1620◦ -Pilgrims create a govt.◦ -Submit the right to be governed by the
govt. they had created.◦ -Influenced the U.S. Constitution
Opening Phrase “We the People.”
Mayflower Compact and the U.S. Constitution
What does “We the People” mean? It establishes Popular Sovereignty-makes it
clear the Govt. gets its power from the people.
-It is the opening line/Preamble to the Constitution.
-Describes and grants the supreme (all) power of Govt. comes from the people.
Government Power From the People
Limited Government Constitution limits the power of Govt. Protects against abuse of power Citizens know what their Govt. is and is not
allowed to do.
How Govt. Meets the Goals of the Constitution
How does the Govt. solvedisagreements between its
citizens?
How Govt. Meets the Goals of the Constitution
Majority Rule w/ Minority Rights Agreement b/w Govt. and the Citizens they
will except the decision of the Majority. To keep the Majority from violating the
rights of the minority the Constitution allows the minority to express its view.
Can you think of a recent example of this in the News?
How Govt. Meets the Goals of the Constitution
Powers of the People Bill of Rights (1791)- The first 10
Amendments in the U.S. Constitution. Bill of Rights- Describes in great detail the
freedoms that belong to every U.S. citizen. Bill of Rights-Guarantees our freedoms.
How Govt. Meets the Goals of the Constitution
Federal System This is the dividing/sharing of powers Articles of Confederation- First form of
U.S. Govt. did not work b/c it had very weak central Govt.
Federal System divides the power of Govt. into 2 levels of Govt.:
-National/Federal Govt.-State Govt.
Powers of the Federal and State Governments
Powers of the Federal and State Governments
General Powers General Powers
Federal Govt. Makes laws that
govern the whole country.
Based in Washington D.C.
State Govt. Power over people w/
in its boundaries.-Ex. California can’t pass a law that affects Maine.
Has its Own:-Capital-Constitution-State Officials
Federal Government Constitution gives the Govt. Delegated
Powers- Important powers given to the Federal Govt. alone.-EX.:
-Power to print money-Control trade with other nations
-Provide national defense.
Powers of the Federal and State Governments
State Governments Limit the power of the Federal Govt. Have Reserved Powers- important powers
for the state alone (manage their own issues).-EX.:
-Conduct Elections-Regulate trade w/ in the state-Establish Local Governments
Powers of the Federal and State Governments
Shared Powers Concurrent Powers- Powers that the state
and Federal Govt. share.-EX.:
-Can raise money through taxes.-Have the power to borrow money.-Establish courts-Create banks-Enforce laws-Provide for health and well being of its
citizens.
Powers of the Federal and State Governments
What happens when a state law disagrees with a federal law?
Powers of the Federal and State Governments
A: The state law is invalid. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land
Powers of the Federal and State Governments
Discuss why you think the Constitution divides its powers?
-Discuss in groups of 3-4.-Create a list of 3 reasons why it divides its power.
Separation of Powers
Separation of Powers Created to stop abuses of power from w/in
the Govt.-One branch creates/writes the laws.-One branch carries out/enforces the laws.-One branch interprets/examines the laws.
Powers of the Federal and State Governments
Legislative Branch Article 1 of the Constitution creates
Congress-Two Houses of Congress: Senate and House of Representatives.
Powers described in great detail in the Constitution.
Controls and creates money for the Federal Govt.
Creates lower courts beneath the Supreme Court.
3 Branches of Government
Executive Branch Established by Article II of the Constitution Carries out the countries laws. Consists of the President and the Vice
President. Today includes 15 Agencies (Heads of each
make up the President’s Cabinet).EX.: -Department of Treasury-Department of State-Department of Homeland Security
Powers of the Federal and State Governments
Judicial Branch Established by Article III of the Constitution. Power Described in little detail. Interprets/Examines the law. Sets punishments for people who break the law. Constitution created:
-Supreme Court- The highest court in the land.-Process for appointing judges to the Supreme Court.
Powers of the Federal and State Governments
A Balance of Power The Constitution limits/checks the powers of
the Federal and State Govt. Makes sure the Federal Govt. does not
become too powerful.
Checks and Balances
Checks and Balances Executive v. Congress
-Congress proposes a law-President can Veto- reject the law.-Congress can override the Veto with a 2/3 vote of Congress in both the Senate and the House of Represenatatives.
Powers of the Federal and State Governments
Checks, Balances, and the Judicial System The Constitution created the Supreme
Court which requires 6 Chief Justices. Congress establishes the lower courts and
determines their power under the state courts.
Powers of the Federal and State Governments
Judicial Review The case of Marbury v. Madison established
the idea of Judicial Review- The courts have the power to check the powers of the other branches of Govt. as a result of this case.
Makes sure no level of Govt. (Federal, State, or Local) violates the Constitution.
It determines if laws passed at any level of Govt. is Constitutional.
Powers of the Federal and State Governments
Put the following events into order:A. President Vetoes a LawB. Supreme Court decides a Law is
UnconstitutionalC. Congress overrides a Veto of a LawD. Congress Proposes a Law
Powers of the Federal and State Governments
D. Congress Proposes a LawA. President Veto a LawC. Congress overrides a Veto on a LawB. Supreme Court decides a Law is
Unconstitutional.
Powers of the Federal and State Governments
The Amendment Process Article V of the Constitution lays out the
process of passing an Amendment. It is a change to the Constitution. Proposed Amendments must be passed with
the approval of ¾ of the states. This has only happened 27 times.
Changing the Constitution
The Amendment Process An Amendment is proposed in 2 ways:
-Congress can propose an amendment by 2/3 vote in both Houses (Senate and House of Reps.).
-The Legislature of 2/3 of states (34 out of 50) can ask Congress to call a national convention to propose an Amendment.
Changing the Constitution
The Amendment Process Once an Amendment is proposed it must be
Ratified/Approved. An Amendment may be Ratified in 2 ways:
-The proposed Amendment can be sent to the state legislature for approval. *All but one Amendment were approved this way.-The proposed Amendment can be sent to state conventions for consideration.
Changing the Constitution
The Amendment Process
If the people do not like a Law can they get rid of it?
Changing the Constitution
The Amendment Process Yes, after an Amendment is passed by ¾ of
the states (38 0f the 50) a law can be canceled or Repealed.-EX.:
-The 18st Amendment prohibited the sale
or production of alcohol.-The 21st Amendment Repealed the
18th Amendment.
Changing the Constitution
Interpreting the Constitution The Constitution doesn’t attempt to cover
every situation. It sets broad guidelines.-EX.:
-The Constitution doesn’t establish a Presidential Cabinet- Heads of each of the 15 Federal Departments.
Referred to as the “Unwritten Constitution.”
Changing the Constitution
Congress and the Constitution Congress uses the Constitution for issues in society. Congress does this by checking if the Constitution
gives Congress the power to pass a proposed law.-EX.:
-The Constitution says nothing about creating a minimum wage standard.-Congress has the power to control trade between states.-Decided the Constitution gives it the power to affect working conditions nationally.
Changing the Constitution
Congress and the Constitution The Supreme Court has the power to decide
if Congress has interpreted the Constitution correctly.
If they agree the law is passed. If they disagree the law is dead.
Changing the Constitution
Congress and the Constitution Congress can rewrite laws. Congress may not pass laws which:
-Punish a citizen w/out a trial.-Ex Post Facto which makes an act a crime after the act has been committed.-Habeas Corpus court order requiring the Govt. to bring a prisoner to court and explain why they are being held.
Changing the Constitution