Our Constitution Notes 3.3

Meant to be… A framework for government –Can be changed Flexible –Address the needs of citizens throughout time Limited gov’t

Right to Rule Social contract Popular Sovereignty: self-rule LockeRousseauHobbes Preamble: reason for Constitution

Federalism Federalism: National, State and Local working together –Reserved powers: states –Enumerated powers: federal –Friction

Separation of Powers 3 Branches Checks and balances

Branches of gov’t Executive Branch: President, VP, staff –Execute (carry out) laws –Millions of employees Judicial Branch: Supreme Court –9 Justices –Decide whether a law is constitutional Legislative Branch –Make Laws –Senate and House

Power of Constitution Limited Gov’t –Rights are guaranteed –Majority doesn’t always rule Popular Sovereignty –Right of people to rule, democracy

Outline of Constitution Article I: Congress –Bi-cameral, Law making Article II: Executive –Enforcing (executing) laws Article III: Judicial –Jurisdiction of federal courts –Interpretation of the Constitution

Cont. Article IV: Relations among states –Extradition, protection –Full Faith and Credit Clause

Article V: Amending the Constitution –2 methods of proposing and ratifying new amendments

Article VI: Supremacy of the National Gov’t –No laws in conflict with Constitution Article VII: Ratification of the Constitution