1. Key Features of the Constitution
Standard 5,
elements b, c, d

2. Key Terms to know
Republic: a government in which the citizens rule through their elected representatives
Federalism: a system of government that divided power between the national government and state governments.
Separation of Powers: government is divided into 3 branches in order to prevent any single group or institution from gaining too much power

3. Checks & Balances
Each branch of government has the ability to limit the power of the other branches to prevent one branch of gov’t from dominating the others

4. A. Congress has “expressed powers”
I. Article I of the Constitution created the Legislative Branch (Congress)
A. Congress has “expressed powers”
B. The “Elastic Clause” allows Congress to create laws that are “necessary and proper”
make laws
levy taxes
coin money
regulate trade
declare war
admit new states to the Union
Congress also has the ability to impeach: to formally charge an official with misconduct in office.

5. C. Congress is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate
1. The House of Representatives is based on state population size
a. Representatives serve two year terms and must be 25 years old
b. All revenue bills must originate in the House of Representatives

6. C. Congress is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate
2. Each state has two Senators
a. Senators serve six year terms and must be at least 30 years old
b. The Senate has the power to approve treaties and presidential appointments

7. III. Article II of the Constitution created the Executive Branch which is made up of the President, Vice-President, and bureaucracy
1. The role of the President is to enforce the law, conduct foreign policy, serve as commander-in-chief of the military, appoint judges and ambassadors, provide leadership for the nation

8. 2. The President is aided by numerous federal agencies and 15 executive departments each with a secretary who serves on the President’s cabinet

9. 3. The President is elected to a four year term and must be a native-born American at least 35 years old
4. The President is not elected directly by the people, but by an Electoral College

10. 4. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land
III. Article III of the Constitution created the Judicial Branch which is made up of Supreme Court and other federal courts
1. The role of the judicial branch is to interpret the law and promote justice
2. There are no specific qualifications to be a federal judge; Judges serve for life
3. The Supreme Court has the power to declare laws unconstitutional (called judicial review)
4. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land

11. IV. The Supremacy Clause of Article V states that the Constitution is the “the supreme law of the land”

12. Ratification of the Constitution
1. This plan for government had to be ratified by 9 states if it was to replace the Articles of Confederation
Ratification of the Constitution
Great chronolony of events in the Constitutional Convention and ratification debate (from constitution.com)

13. A. Many Americans were concerned about the possibility of tyranny because the Constitution gave more power to the national government over the states

14. C. Wanted to add a Bill of Rights
2. Antifederalists
A. opposed the Constitution, feared a stronger national gov’t, and wanted states to remain powerful
B. The Anti-Federalists were led by Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and Samuel Adams
C. Wanted to add a Bill of Rights

15. A. supported the new Constitution and a stronger national gov’t
3. Federalists
A. supported the new Constitution and a stronger national gov’t
B. Federalist leaders James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay wrote a series of essays called the Federalist Papers to counter the arguments of the Anti-Federalists
The Federalist summarized the arguments for immediate ratification of the Constitution

16. 4. Ratification
A. Some states ratified the Constitution quickly, but states with large majorities of Anti-Federalists refused without a Bill of Rights to protect their liberty
B. New Hampshire was the 9th state to ratify the Constitution which went into effect in 1789, but the Federalists wanted all 13 states to ratify the new gov’t
C. In 1789, the Bill of Rights was introduced and the last two states ratified the Constitution by 1790

17. D. The Bill of Rights was approved in 1791

18. 5. Today, the Constitution is the oldest existing written gov’t in the world and is a model for other nations

19. Citizens’ Responsibilities
Duties of a U.S. citizen:
3. Defend the Nation (all males age 18 & over must register for the Selective Service Act (draft)
1. Obey the law
(meant to maintain order, protect the health, safety, & property of all citizens: laws make it possible for all citizens to live peacefully)
4. Jury Duty
2. Pay Taxes
5. Attend School
6. VOTE!