Purposes of the Constitution

Establish Legitimacy Establish the right to rule Outlined legitimacy in the text Legitimacy based on social contract “We the People…”

Create Appropriate Structures Committed to principles of representative democracy Important roles for state governments 3 branches share powers of national gov’t Division of powers between national and state governments

Describe and Distribute Power Describe the powers of each government Article I – Legislative Branch Article II – Executive Branch Article III – Judicial Branch

Limit Government Powers Limits on powers of branches Outlines which powers are granted to the national government and which are reserved by the states

Allow for Change Includes means for changing Constitution Wanted to be sure that Constitution could change with the times Created a difficult but not impossible means for amending the Constitution