1. Summarize the major arguments of BOTH the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists.
Include the names of at least 3 leaders of each group, and 3 arguments used to support each side.
Determine which argument you find MOST convincing and explain why you feel this way.

2. The Constitution
Chapter Three

3. The Six Basic Principles Section One

4. The Constitution:

5. Six Principles Found in the U.S. Constitution:
Popular sovereignty is the idea that the people are the source of all power held by the government.
Limited government means that the government possesses only the powers the people give it—it must obey the Constitution (constitutionalism)
Separation of powers establishes three separate parts, or branches, that share the government's power.

6. The Constitution uses a system of checks and balances to ensure that none of the three branches can become too powerful.
Judicial review is the power of the courts to decide what the Constitution means.
Lastly, the Framers used the principle of federalism to divide power between the central government and the States.

7. With your group, read about your assigned constitutional principle.
Discuss ways to illustrate that concept that would explain the meaning.
On your paper, draw a picture to represent your constitutional principle.
You will be graded on the overall CREATIVITY and QUALITY of your work, as well as how it RELATES to your topic.
Be ready to share with the class!

8. Formal Amendment Section Two

9. The Constitution has lasted more than 225 years because it has changed with the times.
Changes to the Constitution have come through either formal or informal amendments.
A formal amendment is a change to the Constitution's written words. The Framers created four ways to make such changes.

10. Formal amendments are proposed at a national level and then ratified at the State level.
The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights.
Congress proposed all of them in 1789 because many people refused to support the Constitution unless the Federal Government protected these basic rights.
The States approved these ten amendments in The other 17 amendments became part of the Constitution one at a time.

11. In all, the Constitution has been formally amended a total of 27 times.

12. Constitutional Change by Other Means Section Three

13. Types of Informal Changes to Constitution:
Many informal changes to the Constitution have been made since 1787.
Informal changes do not alter the Constitution's actual words.
Types of Informal Changes to Constitution:
1. Basic Legislation: Congress passing laws.
Ex: Voting Rights Act 1965
2. Executive Action: use of presidential power
Ex: executive pact rather than a treaty
3. Court Decisions: SC ruling on cases.
Ex: Roe v. Wade, 1973
4. Party Practices: actions of Political parties
Ex: National conventions to nominate candidates
5. Customs: the usual ways people do things.
Ex: Presidents before FDR served only 2 terms

14. Many customs have developed in American government that are not mentioned in the Constitution.
For example, the President's Cabinet, or advisory body, is customarily made up of the heads of executive departments and other officers.
Senatorial courtesy is a custom in which the Senate will not approve most presidential appointments that are opposed by a senator from the President's party.

15. Identify the Informal Method
Although the Constitution states only that candidates for the Senate must be residents of the State from which they are elected, only candidates who have been residents for two years are allowed to run.
Citing Thomas Jefferson and the Louisiana Purchase, the President declares Puerto Rico the 51st state.
Congress passes a law setting up special federal courts to handle cyber crimes.
After a long legal battle, the Supreme Court declares that laws restricting carbon emissions should be left to the states, restricting Congress’ power to make environmental laws at the federal level.
A Democratic convention is held to help identify possible appointees to the Supreme Court.

16. With your partner…
Come up a historical example of each of the five informal methods of Constitutional change.
Give specifics: dates, people involved, circumstances, etc.
Explain how it changed the Constitution.