1. An Enduring Plan of Government
Chapter 7

2. Vocab Congress Elastic Clause Judicial Review Federalism
Supremacy Clause

3. Intro...
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are considered “charters of freedom”
Although these plans of government were written over 200 years ago, their rules and principles still guide our political system.

4. A Strong, Balanced Government - Preamble
The framers of the Constitution wanted a government that was strong enough to govern, but not so strong that it endangered citizens' freedoms.
They also wanted ordinary Americans to understand and support the Constitution.
The Constitution has three parts.
Preamble, describes the purpose of the document and the government it creates.
The Articles establish how the government is structured and how the Constitution can be changed through amendments.
The amendments include the Bill of Rights and other changes to the Constitution.

6. SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK BRUH BRUH!!!

7. A Strong, Balanced Government - Preamble
The power to form the government did not come from an existing government, or the states, or a supreme being
governments should derive its power from the people.
They wanted the union of states to become stronger so that the states would work together, rather than fight among themselves.

8. A Strong, Balanced Government - Preamble
Fair laws to all people
Establish a country of peace and order
Protect from foreign enemies

9. A Strong, Balanced Government - The Articles
Constitution has seven articles
The first three lay out the structures and powers of the 3 parts of government
Legislative, executive, judicial
Dividing the government into three branches sets up a strong central government, yet also distributes power.
The system of checks and balances ensures that no branch becomes too powerful

11. A Strong, Balanced Government - The Articles
Each branch can limit the power of another.
The president can veto a bill
but the bill can still become law if a two-thirds majority of Congress votes to override the veto.
In this example, the executive branch checks the power of the legislative branch, which then checks the power of the executive branch.

12. A Strong, Balanced Government - The Articles
Through the system of checks and balances, Congress has the power to impeach and convict the president, vice president, and any civilian official of the United States.
To impeach an official is to charge that person with an offense committed while in office.
Only the House of Representatives can vote to impeach
Two presidents have been impeached, but neither was convicted.

14. A Strong, Balanced Government - The Articles
The Constitution does not only divide power among the three branches of the federal government
also divides power between the federal government and state governments.

15. Legislative Branch Article 1 of the Constitution sets up Congress
America’s government, a two partied legislature.
House of Representatives and Senate
Congress makes laws.
It can make “all laws which are necessary and proper”, which is a very flexible power, so they call it the Elastic Clause

16. Executive Branch Responsible for enforcing the laws
President is head of executive branch (chief executive)
Proposes laws, handles federal budget, head of military
Consists of Pres, VP, and Cabinet
Cabinet and VP advise the Pres on various social and economic issues

18. Judicial Branch Interprets the constitution Federal judiciary
Judge if laws are constitutional
State and local laws
Supreme court
Highest court
Rulings become precedents (guidelines on deciding similar future cases)
Has the power of Judicial Review
Ability to review an action of the legislative or executive branch and declare it unconstitutional

20. Federalism
Federalism - the division of power between federal and state governments
Powers of national government
Borrow money, coin money, raise an army and navy, declare war, make treaties,post offices, protect patents and copyrights (delegated powers)
Powers of States
Any power not specifically granted to federal government (reserved powers)
State and local level stuff
Powers that are shared
Collect taxes, build roads, establish courts, borrow money, make and enforce laws, spend money on general welfare

21. Supremacy Clause
Supremacy Clause - Article in the constitution that says the constitution and federal laws are the supreme laws of the land

22. Amending the Constitution