The Constitution *is the law of the land*

The Constitution  Framework of U.S. government: blueprints  Highest authority in the land –McCulloch vs Maryland case –Gibbons vs Ogden case  A symbol of our basic beliefs & ideas  Framework of U.S. government: blueprints  Highest authority in the land –McCulloch vs Maryland case –Gibbons vs Ogden case  A symbol of our basic beliefs & ideas

The Constitution is divided into 3 parts.  Preamble: introduction  Articles: body (7)  Amendments: changes (27)  Preamble: introduction  Articles: body (7)  Amendments: changes (27)

Preamble  Introduction to Constitution  States purposes of the constitution and government –1. To form a more perfect union –2. Establish justice –3. Insure domestic tranquility –4. Provide for common defense –5. Promote the general welfare –6. Secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and posterity  Introduction to Constitution  States purposes of the constitution and government –1. To form a more perfect union –2. Establish justice –3. Insure domestic tranquility –4. Provide for common defense –5. Promote the general welfare –6. Secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and posterity

Preamble assignment  Each row will receive a goal and create a hand signal to visually represent the goal.  For example: –Introduction: what can we use? wave  Each row will receive a goal and create a hand signal to visually represent the goal.  For example: –Introduction: what can we use? wave

The Articles: body  Describes in detail the nuts & bolts of the government in USA.  Each article deals with different subject or part of government:  Describes in detail the nuts & bolts of the government in USA.  Each article deals with different subject or part of government:

The Articles:  Article 1: legislative body  Bicameral house  Makes laws  Article 2: executive body  President & his administration  Article 3: judicial body  U.S. Supreme Court only court created by constitution –U.S. Court of Appeals: Judiciary Act of 1789 –U.S. District Courts: Judiciary Act of 1789  Article 1: legislative body  Bicameral house  Makes laws  Article 2: executive body  President & his administration  Article 3: judicial body  U.S. Supreme Court only court created by constitution –U.S. Court of Appeals: Judiciary Act of 1789 –U.S. District Courts: Judiciary Act of 1789

The Articles Continued  Article 4: federalism or relation between the states and between the states and national governments –Full faith and Credit clause  Article 5: amendment procedure –Two step or tiered action:  Proposal: federal or national level  Ratification: state level approve  Article 4: federalism or relation between the states and between the states and national governments –Full faith and Credit clause  Article 5: amendment procedure –Two step or tiered action:  Proposal: federal or national level  Ratification: state level approve

The Articles Continued  Article 6: supremacy clause –Federal government supreme law of land  Article 7: ratification of Constitution –9 state ratification conventions must vote for the Constitution to become law –SEPTEMBER 17TH, 1787 SIGNED BY DELEGATES AT CONVENTION  Article 6: supremacy clause –Federal government supreme law of land  Article 7: ratification of Constitution –9 state ratification conventions must vote for the Constitution to become law –SEPTEMBER 17TH, 1787 SIGNED BY DELEGATES AT CONVENTION

Amending the Constitution  Amendment Process –Outlined in Article V  Two step process: proposal and ratification  Proposal 2 methods: –1 st - is congressional action- a vote of 2/3 of members of both houses is required –2 nd - is by national convention requested by 2/3 of state legislatures  Ratification – ¾ of states must ratify –1 st - by a vote of either the state legislature or –2 nd - special state convention  23 rd Amendment only one been change by state convention  Amendment Process –Outlined in Article V  Two step process: proposal and ratification  Proposal 2 methods: –1 st - is congressional action- a vote of 2/3 of members of both houses is required –2 nd - is by national convention requested by 2/3 of state legislatures  Ratification – ¾ of states must ratify –1 st - by a vote of either the state legislature or –2 nd - special state convention  23 rd Amendment only one been change by state convention

Interpreting the Constitution  Necessary and Proper Clause  Article I – give power to Congress –“to make laws”  Allows Congress to exercise powers not listed in the Constitution – implied powers –Licensing TV stations to regulating air pollution  Necessary and Proper Clause  Article I – give power to Congress –“to make laws”  Allows Congress to exercise powers not listed in the Constitution – implied powers –Licensing TV stations to regulating air pollution  Supreme Court – final authority  Constitution allows the House of Representatives –To impeach or accuse federal officials  Senate –Determines guilt or innocence  25 th Amendment ratified 1967 –President die/vice become president  Supreme Court – final authority  Constitution allows the House of Representatives –To impeach or accuse federal officials  Senate –Determines guilt or innocence  25 th Amendment ratified 1967 –President die/vice become president