1. The Preamble and The Constitution

2. Read the Preamble Circle any words that you do not know Partner up with someone else and discuss what those circled words might mean Write your own translation of the Preamble at the bottom of the page DO NOW

3. The Preamble is the introduction to the Constitution Like a commercial / “selling an idea” It explains the goals that Constitution intends to achieve QUICK RECAP

4. WHAT ARE THE GOALS LISTED IN THE PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION???

5. “TO FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION” – A. o. C. ??? – Need a better gov’t GOAL #1

6. “TO ESTABLISH JUSTICE” – laws must be fair for everyone GOAL #2

7. “TO ENSURE DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY” – Domestic = Here at Home – Tranquility = Peace – Making sure that people are safe and there is peace in their own country GOAL #3

8. “TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMMON DEFENSE” – Military – Protecting the country from being attacked GOAL #4

9. “TO PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE” – General Welfare = Common Good – Making sure that the government does what is best for everyone GOAL #5

10. “TO SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY” – The gov’t should protect / keep safe the freedom of the people GOAL #6

11. “posterity” = future generations “ordain and establish” = enact as a law “domestic tranquility” = peace at home “union” = country OTHER WORDS?

12. Without looking at your notes, please list the six goals of the Constitution that are found in the Preamble… DO NOW

13. Please write down the three branches of our federal government and what each branch does… DO NOW

15. FEDERALISM SHARING POWERS BETWEEN THE STATES AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT = NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

16. HOW DO THE STATE GOVERNMENTS AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHARE POWER???

17. Known as “DELEGATED POWERS” Granted by the Constitution – Coining money – Control trade with other nations – Defending the country THESE POWERS ARE GIVEN TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BECAUSE ALL AMERICANS BENEFIT FROM THEM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT POWERS

18. Known as “RESERVED POWERS” Allows states to keep their own identities “Any power not given to the Federal Government belongs to the States” – Trade from state to state – Marriage Laws – Local Laws STATE GOVERNMENT POWERS

19. Also known as “concurrent powers” Powers that both the Federal Government and State Governments share – Power to tax – Power to establish courts SHARED POWERS

20. SUPREMACY CLAUSE IF A STATE LAW EVER DISAGREES WITH A FEDERAL LAW OR THE CONSTITUTION, THE STATE LAW MUST GIVE WAY TO THE FEDERAL LAW. THIS IS BECAUSE IT IS “HIGHER LAW.”

21. What do you think it means when someone says that our Constitution is a “living document”? QUESTION

22. “The Times Are A Changin’”

25. HOW DOES A 225 YEAR-OLD DOCUMENT STILL WORK TODAY?

26. Our Constitution is a “living” document This means it is flexible and can change An AMENDMENT is a written change to the Constitution Propose / Ratify (approve) ROOM FOR CHANGE

27. TWO WAYS A.Both Houses in Congress get 2/3 vote in favor of proposing the amendment B.2/3 of state legislatures ask Congress to call a “national convention” PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT

28. TWO WAYS A.3 / 4 of State Legislatures (38 out of 50) pass the proposed Amendment B.3 / 4 of special State Conventions elected by the people pass the proposed Amendment RATIFYING AN AMENDMENT