1. Review #2: The U.S. ConstitutionPg

2. Articles of Confederation
1st constitution of the United States
Articles of Confederation:
1) Colonists fear a ___________________________________________________
2) Desire for individual __________ to have power
Strong central government
States
WEAK NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
 National = Central = Federal
Constitutional Convention

3. What compromises were made?
Virginia Plan
New Jersey Plan
State’s representation in Congress would be based on POPULATION
State’s representation in Congress would be EQUAL
GREAT COMPROMISE
Gave something to both large and small states
Created a BICAMERAL LEGISLATURE
Senate
Equal representation
House of Reps
Representation based on population

4. Three-Fifths (3/5) Compromise
Southern states wanted slaves to count for representation but not taxes
DECISION: 3/5 of a person for representation

5. Popular Sovereignty Popular = People Sovereignty = RULE
The source of all power or authority to govern is from the people
DEMOCRACY

6. Limited Government
All power of the national government is clearly defined in the Constitution
Constitution places limits on state and national governmental power

7. Federalism Maintain army & navy Declare war Coin money
Division of power between the state and national government
Conduct elections
Establish schools
Regulate businesses within a state
Establish local governments
Regulate marriages
Assume all other powers not given to the national gov. or denied to the states
Maintain army & navy
Declare war
Coin money
Regulate trade between states & with foreign nations
Make all laws necessary & proper
Enforce laws
Establish courts
Borrow money
Protect the safety of the people
Build roads
Collect taxes

8. Separation of Powers
Power to govern is divided between legislative, judicial and executive branches
No one branch gets too much power

9. Separation of Powers Senate Supreme Court President
House of Representatives
President
Vice President
Supreme Court
Federal Courts
Approves presidential appointments
Approves treaties
Taxes to provide services
Provides for defense & declares war
Regulates money & trade
impeaches officials
Can veto laws
Conducts foreign policy
Commander in chief of the military
Settles local, state & federal disputes
Settles disputes between states
Settles disputes between individuals & federal government

10. Checks & Balances
Each branch of national government has ways to control or CHECK the other branches
Prevents one branch from getting too much power
enforces
ex: determine actions unconstitutional
Checks the President
Checks the President
ex: override veto, impeach
Checks the Congress
ex: veto laws, make treaties
Checks the Supreme Court
ex: power to pardon
Checks the Congress
ex: determine laws unconstitutional
makes
Checks the Supreme Court
ex: propose amendments
interprets

11. Flexibility
Elastic Clause: Congress can make all laws “necessary and proper”
Unwritten Constitution: developed in response to changing times and circumstances; not directly written in the U.S. Constitution