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Constitutional Principles and Government Structure: Key Concepts Overview

This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of essential concepts in the United States Constitution, highlighting the fundamental principles that guide the structure and function of the government. Key topics include the Preamble, national supremacy, and the separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. It elaborates on popular sovereignty, federalism, checks and balances, and the powers vested in each branch. The chapter also discusses expressed, implied, and delegated powers, along with the Elastic Clause, ensuring readers understand the vital functions of government and constitutional amendments.

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Constitutional Principles and Government Structure: Key Concepts Overview

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  1. Chapter 3– Constitutional Reminders

  2. Important Concepts in the Constitution (see p. 65) • Preamble – introduction to the Constitution. It details why it was written. • National supremacy – The national government is supreme to the states. (“supremacy clause”) • Articles – the divisions of the body of the Constitution • Amendments – changes made to the Constitution

  3. Important Concepts in the Constitution (see p. 65) • Popular sovereignty– authority in our government comes from the people • Federalism– power in our government is divided between the state and national governments • Separation of powers– each of the three branches of government has it own powers or responsibilities

  4. Important Concepts in the Constitution (see p. 65) • Checks and Balances– each branch of the government holds some control over the others • Judicial Review– courts have the power to declare laws and actions of the President and Congress unconstitutional • Limited government– the constitution limits the powers of government

  5. Powers • Expressed powers (also called enumerated powers)– powers specifically listed in the Constitution • Implied Powers– powers that are “implied” or “assumed” as a part of the government’s job. • Delegated Powers – powers that the Constitution grants to the national government.

  6. The Elastic Clause • Article I gives Congress the right to do all things “necessary and proper” for them to do their job • Called the Elastic Clause because it allows Congress to stretch their power

  7. The Three Branches of Government

  8. Legislative Branch

  9. House of Representatives • Representatives serve a 2 year term (Art. 1 Sec. 2) • Rep. must be 25 years old and a citizen for 7 years to be elected. (Art. 1 Sec. 2) • The House can propose tax laws (Art. 1 Sec. 7) • The House can impeach the president (Art. 1 Sec. 2)

  10. Senate • Senators serve a six year term (Art. 1 Sec. 3) • Sen. Must be 30 years old and a citizen for 9 years to be elected. (Art. 1 Sec. 3) • The Senate can approve presidential appointments. (Art. 2 Sec. 2) • The Senate ratifies treaties with foreign governments. (Art. 2 Sec. 2) • The Senate can try the president after impeachment. (Art. 1 Sec. 3)

  11. Both Together • Can propose laws (Art. 1 Sec. 1) • Declare war (Art. 1 Sec. 8) • Can override the president’s veto with a 2/3 vote (Art. 1 Sec. 7) • Can propose amendments to the Constitution with a 2/3 vote (Art. 5)

  12. Executive Branch

  13. The President serves a 4-year term (Art. 2 Sec. 1) • The President must be at least 35 years old, a resident for 14 years and native born. (Art. 2 Sec. 5) • The President has the power to approve or veto laws (Art. 1 Sec. 7) • The President makes treaties with foreign governments (Art. 2 Sec. 2) • He nominates judges to the Supreme Court (Art. 2 Sec. 2) • He appoints cabinet members (Art. 2 Sec. 2) • He is Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. military forces (Art. 2 Sec. 2)

  14. Judicial Branch

  15. Justices of the Supreme Court serve for life (Art. 3 Sec.1) • They can declare laws unconstitutional (Art. 3 Sec. 2) • The can settle disputes involving the United States (Art. 3 Sec. 2) • The can settle disputes between the states. (Art. 3 Sec. 2) • Chief Justice presides over impeachment of the President. (Art. 1 Sec. 3)

  16. Articles and Amendments List • Make a list of all of the Articles (1-7) • Art. 1. Legislative (Congress) • Art. 2… • Art. 3…. Thru Art. 7 • List all 27 Amendments and their MAJOR aspects. • Amendment 1 – Freedom of….. • Charts on p. 86 & 88

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