1 / 10

The Constitution: A Living Document

The Constitution: A Living Document. Unit 3. Sec.1: A Plan of Gov’t. A. The Constitution: A Basic plan of gov’t detailing the structure and operation of gov’t. It contains 7,000 words and is divided into 3 parts.

henry
Télécharger la présentation

The Constitution: A Living Document

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The Constitution: A Living Document Unit 3

  2. Sec.1: A Plan of Gov’t. • A. The Constitution: A Basic plan of gov’t detailing the structure and operation of gov’t. It contains 7,000 words and is divided into 3 parts.

  3. 1. The Preamble: Opening paragraph. First 3 words (We the people) indicates framers’ beliefs in democracy. Establishes 6 goals: • a. To form a more perfect Union (than confed): corrects weaknesses of Articles by giving power to tax, regulate trade, easier to make laws and amend const. • b. Establish Justice: National Judiciary, uniform laws, Nat’l Supremacy, no ex post facto laws or bills of attainder.

  4. c. Insures domestic tranquility: • d. Provides for common defense: • e. Promotes general welfare: • f. Secures blessings of liberty:

  5. 2. 7 Articles: Each article covers a general topic and is divided into sections and clauses. • a.Art1:Creates Congress (lawmaking body) • b.Art2:Creates President (enforces laws) • c.Art3:Creates Nat’l Judiciary • d.Art4:Explains relationship of states to one another and to the nat’l gov’t. • e.Art5:Spells out the ways the Const. can be amended.

  6. f.Art6:Contains supremacy clause, state that the const. of US, and US laws/treaties shall be supreme over state const. and state laws. Hierarchy (ladder) of laws to resolve conflict. • 1)US const. • 2)US laws and treaties • 3)State Constitutions • 4)State Laws • 5)Local Laws • g.Art.7: Const. takes effect after 9 states ratify. • 3)The Amendments: Formal changes (27)

  7. B. Major principles of Constitution • 1. Popular Sovereignty: Rule by the people; gov’t based on consent of governed. • a. “We the people” established const. • b. Each state guaranteed Republican Gov’t. • c. Several amendments expand suffrage. • 2. Federalism: A division of powers between fed. and state gov’t.

  8. 3. Separation of Powers: Prevent concentration to hand of few (Madison calls tyranny), Influenced by Montesquieu: 3 parts • a. Legislative Branch (art1): law making branch headed by a bicameral congress, most representative branch (many:democratic) • b. Executive Branch (art2): enforces laws, headed by President (one:autocratic) • c. Judicial Brach (art3): interprets laws, headed by a S.C. of 9 (few:oligarchic)

  9. d. 3 Branches differ in their: • 1.Functions: Source of authority is Const., not each other. • 2.Constituency: Ppl. They represent: • a.House: Congressional District (Local) • b.Senate: State Interests • c.President: National Interests • d.Judges: Individual Interests

  10. 3. Length of terms: Staggered for continuity and change: • a.House of Reps: 2 yrs, no term limits • b.Senate: 6 yrs, 1/3 every 2 yrs, no limits • c.Pres: 4 yrs, Max 2 terms, 10 yrs=22nd amd. • d.Judges: Life • e. 3 Branches share responsibility of running gov’t. • f. Compare pres. Vs. parl. System (pros/cons)

More Related