TOPIC 4 LESSON 5Understanding the Constitution

I. PreambleA. Sets 6 goals:

1. Form a more perfect union.

2. Establish Justice

3. Insure Domestic Tranquility

4. Provide for the Common Defense

5. Promote General Welfare

6. Secure the Blessings of Liberty

II. ArticlesA. There are seven articles total in the Constitution.

B. First three articles = three branches of the

national government.

I. Legislative- Congress makes laws

II. Executive- President carries out

laws

III. Judicial- Supreme Court interprets

laws

C. Article IV

1. Requires states to honor one another’s laws and legal

decisions.

2. Sets up system to admit new states

D. Article V

1. Provides a process to amend the Constitution

E. Article VI

1. Constitution is the “Supreme law of the land”

2. States cannot make laws that violate the Constitution

F. Article VII

1. Sets up a procedure for states to ratify the Constitution

III. Seven Basic Principles

A. The Constitutions reflects seven basic principles:

1. Popular Sovereignty- People have the right to alter or

abolish their government.

2. Limited Government- The government has only the

powers that the Constitution gives it. Everyone must

obey laws.

3. Separation of Powers- divides the government into three

branches.

4. Checks and Balances- Safeguards against abuse of

power. Each branch of government has the power to

check (limit) the actions of the other two.

5. Federalism- Division of power between the federal government and

the states.

1. Federal government has the power to coin money, declare

war and regulate trade between states.

2. States regulate trade within their own borders, make rules for

state elections and establish schools.

6. Republicanism- Provides for a republican form of government.

1. Citizens elect representatives to carry out their will.

2. Representatives vote according to their own judgement.

7. Individual Rights- Protects personal freedoms such as freedom of

speech, freedom of religion and the right to trial by jury

IV. Branches of Government

A. Legislative Branch-makes the nation’s laws2. Congress is made up of two bodies: House of Representatives and Senate

B. Powers of Congress

1. Make the nation’s laws

a. all laws start as bills and may begin in either house

unless designed to raise money for the government,

then it MUST start in the House of Reps.

b. The bills are debated and voted on.

c. If both houses approve the bill, it goes to the President

for his signature, becoming a law.

C. Elastic Clause

1. Not all powers are listed specifically

2. Known as the elastic clause because it allows Congress to stretch

its powers to deal with the changing needs of the country.

D. Committees

1. Both houses have standing committees to study bills related to

specific topics. (agriculture, education, defense,

transportation, etc.)

2. Some committees are made up of members from both houses

(joint committees)

E. Executive Branch

1. Purpose-to carry out the laws and run the affairs of the National

government.

2. The President is the head of the executive branch with the VP and

Cabinet

3. Roles of the President

a. represents all Americans

b. directs foreign policy ( make treaties and appoints

ambassadors)

c. Commander in Chief of armed forces

d. suggest new laws and work for their passage

e. grant pardons and call special sessions of Congress

F. Electing the President

1. elected for a 4 year term (22nd amendment- no more than 2 terms)

2. Framers set a complex system for electing the President, known as the

Electoral College.

G. Judicial Branch

1. Constitution establishes Supreme Court and authorizes Congress to

establish other courts that are needed (Judiciary Act of 1789)

a. Lower courts- district courts and appellate (appeal) courts

b. Supreme Court- highest court in the land

V. Checks and Balances

A. To prevent one person or branch from abusing power, a system of checks and balances was set up

B. It allows each branch to check, or limit, the power of the other two.

C. The most extreme check on the President is to impeach, remove him from power.