1. Ideas of the Constitution

2. The Constitution

3. Key Ideas of the Constitution
Popular Sovereignty: the people have power by voting for leaders
Limited gov’t: even though the national gov’t was stronger, citizens’ liberty was still protected
Federalism: the national gov’t shares power with state gov’ts

4. Federalism

5. The Constitution was a radical shift from the Articles of Confederation because it gave more power to the national gov’t than to the state gov’ts
The supremacy clause establishes the Constitution (not the states) as the "the supreme law of the land"

6. Key Ideas of the Constitution
Separation of powers: three branches with defined powers

7. Separation of Powers

9. Key Ideas of the Constitution
Only Congress can make laws, declare war, create taxes
The “elastic clause” gives Congress implied powers to make laws seen as “necessary & proper”
Only the Senate can approve treaties & only the House can create taxes

11. Article 1: Legislative Branch11

12. House of Representatives
Senate 12

13. Key Ideas of the Constitution
The president enforces the laws passed by Congress
The president oversees the bureaucracy (departments & federal agencies)

14. Article II: Executive Branch
The president, or Chief Executive, is the head of the government.
Americans vote every 4 years for their leader of their democratic society.
After elected to serve his/her country, the president lives and works in the White House.
The president is in charge of the (Commander and Chief) armed forces.
The president works with leaders of other countries. 14

15. Commander-in-Chief of the military
Chief Agenda Setter
Chief of State
Commander-in-Chief of the military

16. Key Ideas of the Constitution
The only court mentioned in the Constitution is the Supreme Court

17. Article III: Judicial Branch
The Supreme Court is the highest court is the U. S., and is the system of courts to settle questions about the laws.
The nine justices can serve for life, or wish to retire.
Each justice is chosen by the president and approved by congress 17

19. Key Ideas of the Constitution
Checks & balances: each branch can limit the power of the others

21. System of Checks and Balances

22. Ratification of the Constitution

23. Federalists & Anti-Federalists
Supported ratification of the Constitution
Were well-organized & educated
Alexander Hamilton & James Madison authored the Federalist Papers to argue for ratification
Anti-Federalists
Against ratification because they feared that this gave too much power to the national gov’t
Argued that the Constitution was an illegal change in gov’t
Wanted a Bill of Rights
To win ratification, the Federalists agreed to add a Bill of Rights to protect citizens’ liberty; all 13 states agreed to ratify the Constitution
In order for the Constitution to be legitimate, 9 of the 13 states had to ratify (agree to) it 26

24. Ratification of the Constitution

25. Constitution became the official the law of the land in 1789

26. The Constitution proved to be a successful form of government; Today, the Constitution is the oldest existing written gov’t in the world & has become a model for other nations