1. Constitution
Notes

2. Principles Separation of Powers Checks and Balances
Feared Tyranny
Especially at the hands of a powerful President
Checks and Balances
Each Branch can limit what the others do
Republic-Government of the people through elected representatives
Federalism- Shared power between Federal and State governments
Judicial Review- Allows the courts to review the legality of laws
Limited Government-Lists the powers the Government has and does not have

3. Structure- Three parts (Preamble, Articles, Amendments)
Introduction and explains the purpose
Articles (Seven of them)
Article 1, Legislative Branch
Article 2, Executive Branch
Article 3, Judicial Branch
Article 4, Federalism
Article 5, Explains how to change the constitution
Article 6, States that the Federal Government is supreme vs. the states
Article 7, Ratification

4. Legislative Branch, Art 1 (Congress)
Two houses
House, chosen by the people
Senate, represents the interests of the states
Powers: Are specific and written in the constitution
18 Specific powers (Enumerated Powers)
Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper)
Allows congress to do stuff not explicitly granted to them in the constitution.

5. Executive Branch, Art 2
President, founding fathers wanted one person to be at the head of government, also distrusted the people directly involved in government.
Powers: Specific and Broad
10 Specific Powers
Broad powers taken by the president, because the constitution does not prohibit him from doing so.

6. Allows congress to establish “inferior” courts
Judicial Branch, Art 3
Supreme Court
Ultimate Judicial Authority
Allows congress to establish “inferior” courts
All courts are inferior to the Supreme Court.

7. Amendment (Changes to the Constitution) process
Essential to keep the constitution relevant
Only been amended 27 times
Process
Proposal
By Congress (2/3 vote)
By the States (2/3 of states need to call a convention)(Never used successfully)
Ratification(Always by states)
State legislatures vote for it (3/4 of states)
States call a convention(3/4 of state conventions) (used only once)

8. Amendments
1-Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and criticism of government
2-Right to bear arms
3-Protection against quartering soldiers
4-Protection against unlawful search and seizures
5-Right against self incrimination

9. Amendments 6- Right to a speedy trial 7- Right to a trial by jury
8-Protection against excessive bail
9-All rights not EXPRESSED in the constitution are held by the people
10- If a power is not EXPRESSLY given to the Congress, it is then the states power
11-Removes cases in which a state was sued without its consent from federal jurisdiction
12-Requires presidential electors to vote separately for president and vice president

10. Amendments 13-Abolishes Slavery 14-Grants citizenship to former slaves
15-Extends voting rights to former slaves
16- Allows congress to tax your income
17-Changes the way Senators are elected
18- Prohibition
19-Gives women the right to vote

11. Amendments 20- Changes the Presidential inauguration day
21-Repeals 18, legalizes alcohol
22-Limits president to 2 terms
23-Washington DC gets the right to vote
24- Makes poll taxes illegal
25-Sets Presidential Succession
26- Gives 18 yr olds the right to vote
27- Bans congress from increasing its salaries until after the next election