1. Chapter 3
The Constitution

2. Purpose: lay out the basic principles and framework of the government
Preamble
7 Articles
27 Amendments

3. Basic Principles Popular Sovereignty Limited Government
Elected through popular sovereignty, so the gov. can only do what the people say
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism

4. Checks and Balances

5. Formal Amendments 4 main methods (turn to page 73)
Method 1 – Most common form for ratification
Method 2 – only used once for the 21st Amendment

6. Peace of mind for skeptics of the Constitution
Bill of Rights
First 10 Amendments
Peace of mind for skeptics of the Constitution

7. To ensure reproductive rights of women
To force the Congress and President to agree to a balanced budget, with overspending allowed only in the case of a three-fifths vote of Congress
To ensure that all children who are citizens have a right to a "free and adequate education“
To specifically permit prayer at school meetings and ceremonies
To allow non-natural born citizens to become President if they have been a citizen for 20 years
To specifically allow Congress to regulate the amount of personal funds a candidate to public office can expend in a campaign
To ensure that apportionment of Representatives be set by counting only citizens

8. To provide for continuity of government in case of a catastrophic event
The "Every Vote Counts" Amendment - providing for direct election of the President and Vice President, abolishing the Electoral College
To clarify eminent domain, specifically that no takings can be transferred to a private person except for transportation projects
Providing a right to work, for equal pay for equal work, the right to organize, and the right to favorable work conditions

9. Constitutional Change by Other Means
Much of our governmental changes have not come from amendments – but by experiences

10. Basic Legislation
The Framers made the Constitution with the possibility of adding provisions to adapt with changing times
Offices in the executive branch & judicial courts have all been added by congress

11. Executive Action
Precedents set by the President have changed the way our government runs
Executive Agreement – an agreement with the US President and the leader of another sovereign state

12. Decisions made by the President & Politicians are more party based
Party Practices
The Electoral College
Decisions made by the President & Politicians are more party based

13. Custom
Cabinet – 15 Executive department advisory body to the President
State, Homeland Security, Defense, Education, etc.

14. Document Analysis: The Constitution
With a partner, complete the questions for the Background Essay & Documents A-D.
Complete the corresponding Questions for each segment
Graphic Organizer – Name the 4 main ideas of how the Constitution protects us from future tyranny
For each main idea – Describe 3 ways each main idea proves the thesis

15. Things to Bring Tomorrow 
Index cards
Your Textbook
Your Beach Towel/Blanket