1. The United States Constitution “Supreme Law of the Land” (written plan of govt. for the entire nation) Chapter 3-3 and Chapter 3-4

2. Structure of the Constitution How is it organized? U.S. Constitution

3. Three parts: Preamble Introduction that explains the goals & purposes of the govt. Articles Describes the structure of the govt. Amendments Additions or changes made to the Constitution

4. We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare promote the general Welfare And secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, And secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

5. Translation 1. To unite the states so they can operate as a single nation, for the good of all 2. To make certain that all citizens are treated equally 3. To maintain peace and order, keeping citizens and their property safe from harm 4. To be ready militarily to protect the country and its citizens from attack 5. To help people live healthy, happy, and prosperous lives 6. To guarantee the basic rights of all Americans, including future generations (posterity)

6. Article I – describe the Legislative Branch (Congress) Article I – describe the Legislative Branch (Congress) Article II – describes the Executive Branch (President) Article II – describes the Executive Branch (President) Article III – describes the Judicial Branch (Courts & Judges) Article III – describes the Judicial Branch (Courts & Judges) Article IV – describes the relationship b/t the states & national govt. Article IV – describes the relationship b/t the states & national govt. Article V – describes amending (changing) the Constitution Article V – describes amending (changing) the Constitution Article VI – describes how the Constitution is the Supreme (most important) law of the land Article VI – describes how the Constitution is the Supreme (most important) law of the land Article VII – describes the process of ratifying the Constitution Article VII – describes the process of ratifying the Constitution LEJSASR The 7 Articles

7. Amendment 1- Amendment 1- Amendment 2 - Amendment 2 - Amendment 3 - Amendment 3 - Amendment 4 - Amendment 4 - Amendment 5 - Amendment 5 - Amendment 6 - Amendment 6 - Amendment 7 - Amendment 7 - Amendment 8 - Amendment 8 - Amendment 9 - Amendment 9 - Amendment 10 - Amendment 10 - Also known as The Bill of Rights * Protecting many of our personal freedoms

8. Amendment 11 - Amendment 11 - Amendment 12 - Amendment 12 - Amendment 13 - Amendment 13 - Amendment 14 - Amendment 14 - Amendment 15 - Amendment 15 - Amendment 16 - Amendment 16 - Amendment 17 - Amendment 17 - Amendment 18 - Amendment 18 - Amendment 19 - Amendment 19 - Amendment 20 - Amendment 20 - Amendment 21 - Amendment 21 - Amendment 22 - Amendment 22 - Amendment 23 - Amendment 23 - Amendment 24 - Amendment 24 - Amendment 25 - Amendment 25 - Amendment 26 - Amendment 26 - Amendment 27 - Amendment 27 - various changes that needed to be made

9. Principles (ideas) of the Constitution Federal Republic Federal Republic Popular Sovereignty Popular Sovereignty Rule of Law Rule of Law Separation of Powers Separation of Powers Checks & Balances Federalism Supremacy

10. Federal RepublicPopular Sovereignty * principle 1 * principle 2 * having a govt. run by an * power of the govt. lies elected leader w/ the people elected leader w/ the people * having a representative democracy * the will of the ppl. is demonstrated by having elections & ppl. voting demonstrated by having elections & ppl. voting Rule of Law *principle 3 *limited govt. (things govt. can & can’t do) *law applies to EVERYONE

11. Separation of Powers principle 4 to protect against abuse of power or govt. having too much power  divide govt. into 3 branches to protect against abuse of power or govt. having too much power  divide govt. into 3 branches borrowed this idea from _______________ borrowed this idea from _______________ each branch of govt. has its own duties & responsibilities each branch of govt. has its own duties & responsibilities L E J

12. Checks & Balances principle 5 (chart p.88) each branch “checks” the other to make sure its job gets done (like siblings “check” to see if each other’s chores have been done) each branch “checks” the other to make sure its job gets done (like siblings “check” to see if each other’s chores have been done) Each branch will “balance” each other out (have equal power) Each branch will “balance” each other out (have equal power)

13. BranchDuty“Check” L Makes laws Can impeach judges Can impeach president Can refuse to approve treaties E Carry out laws Can reject ideas that may become law Can appoint judges J Interpret laws Can reject laws that go against Constitu. Can declare P’s actions unconstitutional Examples:

14. Federalism (principle 6 -chart p. 89) Federalism (principle 6 -chart p. 89) power is divided: one national govt. & state govts. state govts. National Govt. National & State Govt. State Govt. enumerated/ expressed powers concurrent powers (shared)reservedpowers

15. Supremacy Clause (principle 7) If a state law & a national law conflict w/ one another, the national law PREVAILS If a state law & a national law conflict w/ one another, the national law PREVAILS States may not violate national law States may not violate national law National law may not violate the Constitution National law may not violate the Constitution

16. Amending the Constitution (chart p.83) Two steps Two steps 1. Proposal 1. Proposal congress makes a proposal to amend congress makes a proposal to amend or state delegates meet at national convention to amend or state delegates meet at national convention to amend 2. Ratification (3/4 of states needed) 2. Ratification (3/4 of states needed) by state delegates by state delegates or state convention or state convention

17. Interpreting the Constitution Necessary & Proper Clause: Necessary & Proper Clause: congress having powers that aren’t specifically listed in Constitution (implied powers) congress having powers that aren’t specifically listed in Constitution (implied powers) “Loose interpretation” “Loose interpretation” congress might have to make other laws when necessary congress might have to make other laws when necessary “Strict interpretation” “Strict interpretation” give congress only the powers listed in Constitution give congress only the powers listed in Constitution “Elastic” Clause: “Elastic” Clause: give congress the ability to “stretch” its powers give congress the ability to “stretch” its powers

18. Court Decisions: Court Decisions: U.S. Supreme Court (highest court in the U.S.) reviews any interpretations of the Constitution U.S. Supreme Court (highest court in the U.S.) reviews any interpretations of the Constitution Legislative Actions: Legislative Actions: impeaching the president & putting him on trial impeaching the president & putting him on trial Presidential Actions Presidential Actions the duties of the vice-president the duties of the vice-president Customs: Customs: creating political parties creating political parties