(3.1) Day 1 - Organization of the Constitution U. S. Government and Politics

Road to the Constitution The Articles of Confederation had provided the new nation with a weak federal government unable to deal with the needs of the new nation. The new Constitution created a stronger federal government. Ex. 3 branches of government, a new chief executive, a new court system and included the power to tax.

Why should we know the Constitution? To understand government and politics in the U.S. we must know details about the Constitution. -Established America’s national government and fundamental laws, and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens! -It communicates the expectations of our country. (See Preamble) -Lays out the ways in which the Federal government is organized -Sets limits within which government must conduct itself

Overview of the Constitution Written in 1787, took effect in 1789. Vitally important and vibrant document - it is this nation’s fundamental law. (supreme law of the land) It is organized in a simple straightforward way. Brief document 4, 543 words (4 sheets of paper) 7, 591 words including the 27 Amendments 3 parts: Preamble, Articles and Amendments

Organization of the Constitution The body of the Constitution is made up of seven articles. These articles set out the basic shape of the Federal Government. Outline format: Articles Sections Clauses

Organization of the Constitution Amendments (formal changes to the constitution) - Bill of Rights - first 10 Amendments (ratification debate) - 27 total Amendments Flexibility and adaptability to change have led to years of success. (Think of the Constitution as a living, breathing document, not something set in stone.)

Article I - Legislative Branch Establishes a bicameral (two house) legislature. (Connecticut Compromise) Historical reasons = British Parliament had two houses Practical reasons = help resolve the Virginia and New Jersey plans - The most populous states wanted to distribute the seats in Congress in proportion to the population of each state. - Smaller states demanded equal voice in Congress. Theoretical reasons = diffuse the power of Congress by having checks and balances on each other Causes gridlock - not supposed to be easy to pass a bill. Prevents Congress from overwhelming the other two branches.

Article I - Legislative Branch Congress meets in the Capitol, which has undergone several additions as both the nation and Congress have grown. Note: How many members are in the House and the Senate.

Article II - Executive Branch Article II of the Constitution - begins this way: “The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America” Loosely written Does not define executive power Two points of debate over the extent of presidential power. A weaker presidency, subordinate to Congress vs. A stronger, independent, coequal chief executive * The framers created a single executive, chosen independently of Congress with its own distinct powers.

Article II - Executive Branch Mount Rushmore in South Dakota features four U.S. Presidents—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln—representing the first 130 years of U.S. history.

Article III - Judicial Branch Under the Articles of Confederation there was not a national judiciary system - The laws of the United States were interpreted and applied as each State saw fit, and sometimes not at all. - Disputes between States and between persons who lived in different States were decided, if at all, by the courts in one of the States involved. - Often, decisions by the courts in one State were ignored by courts in the other States.

Article III - Judicial Branch Why did the Framers create a national judiciary? They believed the new government needed a way to enforce its laws in a uniform way across the nation. The Constitution established the Supreme Court & gave power to Congress to create inferior courts. Keep in mind - there are two separate court systems in the U.S.: Federal Court and State Court

Conclusions / Takeaways Quick write and report out: Summarize the outline of the U.S. Constitution