Chapter 3 The U.S. Constitution

Section 1:Ideals of the Constitution Section 2: The Three Branches of Government Section 3:An Enduring Document Chapter 3The U.S. Constitution

Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution The Main Idea The Constitution is an agreement between the citizens of the Untied States and the government that the people will grant powers to the government. In return, the government is to carry out the goals of the Constitution. Reading Focus • How did the Pilgrims influence the framers of the Constitution? • What are the goals of the U.S. government as outlined in the Constitution? • What are the powers the Constitution gives to the federal and state governments?

Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution A. Pilgrims influenced the Framers 1. Mayflower 2. Mayflower Compact a. Individual rights b. Consent

Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution B. Government of the People 1. “We the People” (Preamble) 2. Popular sovereignty

Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution C. Goals of the U.S. Constitution 1. Limited Government 2. Majority rule / minority rights

Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution C. Goals of the U.S. Constitution 3. Six goals of the constitution a. Form a more perfect union b. Establish justice c. Insure domestic tranquility d. Provide for the common defense e. Promote the general welfare f. Secure the blessings of liberty

Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution D. Powers of Federal and State Governments 1. Framers past experiences 2. Federalist system a. Federal government b. State governments c. Strong points

E. Federal Government Powers 1. Delegated 2. Powers given to the Federal government a. Regulate trade f. Govern territory b. Coin money g. Foreign relations c. Declare war h. Raise/support army d. Admit new states e. Establish post offices

F. State Government Powers 1. Reserved 2. Powers a. Regulate trade within state b. Hold elections c. Incorporate businesses d. Issue licenses e. Establish local governments f. Provide for: public safety, health, welfare

G. Shared Powers 1. Concurrent a. Make and collect taxes b. Borrow money c. Make and enforce laws d. Establish courts e. Provide for the general welfare

to keep each from getting too strong federal government state government SECTION 1 Question: Why did the Constitution establish separate powers for the state and federal governments?

Section 2: The Three Branches of Government The Main Idea The Constitution prevents any person, or any part of the government, from taking too much power. It does this by creating three separate branches of the federal government and distributing power among them. Reading Focus • Why does the Constitution provide for the separation of powers? • What are the main responsibilities of each of the three branches of government? • How does the system of checks and balances work?

Section 2: The Three Branches of Government A. Separation of Powers 1. Shield against tyranny

Section 2: The Three Branches of Government B. Legislative Branch—US Congress 1. Comprised of : a. Senate b. House of Representatives 2. Lawmaking arm of government 3. Controls flow of money

Section 2: The Three Branches of Government C. Executive Branch 1. President is head of executive branch 2. Executes / carries out laws 3. Includes: a. 15 executive departments b. State and Treasury c. Homeland Security in 2002

Section 2: The Three Branches of Government D. Judicial Branch 1. Interprets laws passed by Congress 2. Sets punishment 3. Supreme Court head of Judicial

Section 2: The Three Branches of Government E. Checks and Balances: 1. Framers influenced by Montesquieu 2. Each branch can limit / check other branches so no one branch is too powerful

Section 2: The Three Branches of Government E. Checks and Balances: 3. Executive Checks a. Veto 4. Legislative Checks 5. Judicial Checks (originally not determined) a. Judicial review i. Marbury v. Madison

Executive to ensure that no one branch of the U.S. government becomes too powerful Legislative Judicial SECTION 2 Question: Why does the Constitution provide for the separation of powers?

Section 3: An Enduring Document The Main Idea The Constitution is an enduring document that has met the needs of a changing country for more than 200 years. Reading Focus • How did the framers envision change when writing the Constitution? • What are two ways in which the Constitution may be changed?

Section 3: An Enduring Document A. Changing the Constitution 1. Difficult process—meant to survive politics and temporary changes in public opinion 2. “Living” document 3. Can be changed formally and informally

Section 3: An Enduring Document B. Amendment Process 1. Amendment is a formal change 2. Approved by ¾ of the states 3. Only successful 27 times in 225+ years

Section 3: An Enduring Document B. Amendment Process 4. Amendment proposed in two ways a. 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress b. 2/3 of state legislatures ask Congress for a national convention (34)

Section 3: An Enduring Document B. Amendment Process 5. Ratification process in two ways a. Proposed amendment sent to state legislatures b. Proposed amendment sent to state convention c. Amendment ratified by ¾ of states (38)

Section 3: An Enduring Document C. Interpretation of the Constitution 1. Changes can be made by custom and tradition a. Cabinet 2. Congress can interpret Constitution to decide social issues 3. Supreme Court interpretation of Congressional action

Chapter 3 Wrap-Up • What are the six goals of government as stated in the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution? • What are the three branches of the federal government, and what are their primary responsibilities? • How does the system of checks and balances in the federal government work? • What makes the Constitution of the United States a living document? • How can the Constitution be amended?

Chapter 3 The U.S. Constitution