Articles of Confederation

Articles of Confederation • Problems with the A.O.C. • Congress lacked the power to ______ • ________ central government • Power resided with the __________ • No power to _______ (____________) commerce (trade) tax weak states regulate control

Articles of Confederation • Problems with the A.O.C. (cont.) • Each state had ______ vote regardless of size • No common _______ (_________) • No power to ____________ laws • No _________ or __________ branches one currency money enforce executive judicial

Preamble to the U.S. Constitution Introduction • ____________ to the U.S. Constitution. • States six _______ of the U.S. government. • Establishes the __________ as the power behind the government and the constitution- “We the __________” purposes citizens People

Purposes of the government according to the Preamble • Form a more _________ Union • allow the states to operate as a single country for the good of all • Establish ________ • Make sure all citizens are treated fairly and equally Perfect Justice

Purposes of the government according to the Preamble • Insure _________ tranquility • Keep the peace among the citizens • Provide for the common __________ • Maintain armed forces to protect the country and its citizens Domestic defense

Purposes of the government according to the Preamble • Promote the _________________ • Help provide for the well-being of the citizens • Secure the Blessings of ________ to _________ and our posterity • Ensure that all citizens, now and in the future, maintain their basic rights General Welfare ourselves Liberty

Federalism • Established by the ______________ • Principle of federalism is the __________ of power between the _________ and the ____________ government Constitution division states national

How? • The Constitution gives some ___________ to the ____________ government, some to the __________, and some to _______ power national states both

Separation of Power • U.S. Constitution created three _______ • _________ was split between these three branches to ________ one branch from becoming too ____________ (___________________) branches Power prevent powerful Limited Government

Branches of Government Legislative • _____________ • Congress (House of Representatives and the Senate) • ___________ laws • ____________ • President • __________ laws • _____________ • Supreme Court • __________ laws (determines if laws in agreement with the Constitution) Makes Executive Enforces Judicial Interprets

Checks and Balances • Each branch has powers to limit the powers of the other two branches

Amendment Process for U.S. Constitution • Action by _______ or national convention • Requires ______ approval of ______ houses of Congress or • 2/3 of the state ____________ must request a __________ convention (never been done) Congress 2/3 both legislatures national

Amendment Process (cont.) ratification • Requires ___________ (_____________) of ¾ of states (____) • States may _________ by a vote in the state legislature or by special state conventions • Very ____________ process • Only ____ amendments in Constitution approval 38 ratify difficult 27

Bill of Rights • The first _______ amendments to the Constitution • Guaranteed certain __________ to the citizens ten rights

Rights (1st Amendment) • Religion- Government may not _________ an official religion, nor _________, or unduly _______ with the free exercise of religion • Speech- Individuals are free to ________ their opinions and beliefs establish endorse interfere express

Rights (1st Amendment) (cont.) • Press- The press has the right to gather and _____________ information, including that which _________ the government • Assembly- Individuals may ____________ gather publish criticizes peaceably

Rights (cont.) • Petition- Individuals have the right to make their _______ known to _________ officials views public

Due Process • Due process • Before individuals are ________ their rights, ________ established by law and guaranteed by the Constitution must be _______ (5th and 14th) denied procedures followed

Enumerated Powers • The Constitution gives powers to the _______ government, such as maintaining an _____, maintaining a _______ service, and making _________ national army postal money

Reserved Powers not • Powers _______ given to the national government are ___________ for the __________ • Examples-Establishing _________, regulating __________ within the state, conducting ____________ reserved states schools trade elections

Concurrent Powers shared • Powers _________ by the national government and the states • Examples- collecting _______, borrowing money, establishing _______ and _______ taxes courts prisons

Supremacy Clause • According to the Constitution, if there is any __________ between state and national laws, the laws of the ____________ government are _________. The national law is the law of the ________. conflict national supreme land

Primary responsibilities of national and state government • National • Conducts ________ policy and regulates ____________ • State • Promotes public __________, safety, and __________ • ____________ • Conduct ___________ foreign commerce health welfare Education elections

Powers denied to National and State Governments • Art 1, section 9 & 10 of Constitution • National Gov (sec.9)- no titles of nobility granted, cannot tax goods moved from one state to another • State Gov (sec. 10)- cannot maintain army or go to war, cannot tax imports or exports

Over the Executive Branch Override veto 2/3 of both House of Rep. And Senate must approve Impeach (remove from office) the president House must approve the charges by a majority Senate can convict by 2/3 vote Over the Judicial branch Approves appointment of Federal judges Impeaches judges Legislative Checks

Over the Legislative Branch Vetoes acts of Congress Calls Congress into special sessions Over the Judicial branch Appoints judges Grants reprieves and pardons Executives Checks

Over the Legislative Branch Declares laws unconstitutional Over the Executive branch Declares executive acts unconstitutional Judicial Checks

Articles of Confederation