Review #2: The U.S. Constitution Pg. 17-19

Articles of Confederation 1st constitution of the United States Articles of Confederation: 1) Colonists fear a ___________________________________________________ 2) Desire for individual __________ to have power Strong central government States WEAK NATIONAL GOVERNMENT  National = Central = Federal Constitutional Convention

What compromises were made? Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan State’s representation in Congress would be based on POPULATION State’s representation in Congress would be EQUAL GREAT COMPROMISE Gave something to both large and small states Created a BICAMERAL LEGISLATURE Senate Equal representation House of Reps Representation based on population

Three-Fifths (3/5) Compromise Southern states wanted slaves to count for representation but not taxes DECISION: 3/5 of a person for representation

Popular Sovereignty Popular = People Sovereignty = RULE The source of all power or authority to govern is from the people DEMOCRACY

Limited Government All power of the national government is clearly defined in the Constitution Constitution places limits on state and national governmental power

Federalism Maintain army & navy Declare war Coin money Division of power between the state and national government Conduct elections Establish schools Regulate businesses within a state Establish local governments Regulate marriages Assume all other powers not given to the national gov. or denied to the states Maintain army & navy Declare war Coin money Regulate trade between states & with foreign nations Make all laws necessary & proper Enforce laws Establish courts Borrow money Protect the safety of the people Build roads Collect taxes

Separation of Powers Power to govern is divided between legislative, judicial and executive branches No one branch gets too much power

Separation of Powers Senate Supreme Court President House of Representatives President Vice President Supreme Court Federal Courts Approves presidential appointments Approves treaties Taxes to provide services Provides for defense & declares war Regulates money & trade impeaches officials Can veto laws Conducts foreign policy Commander in chief of the military Settles local, state & federal disputes Settles disputes between states Settles disputes between individuals & federal government

Checks & Balances Each branch of national government has ways to control or CHECK the other branches Prevents one branch from getting too much power enforces ex: determine actions unconstitutional Checks the President Checks the President ex: override veto, impeach Checks the Congress ex: veto laws, make treaties Checks the Supreme Court ex: power to pardon Checks the Congress ex: determine laws unconstitutional makes Checks the Supreme Court ex: propose amendments interprets

Flexibility Elastic Clause: Congress can make all laws “necessary and proper” Unwritten Constitution: developed in response to changing times and circumstances; not directly written in the U.S. Constitution