1. Ch 3.3 Structure of Constitution

2.  Constitution  Framework for gov’t  Highest authority in nation  Basic law of US  Symbol of our nation  Changes through customs  As times change, so does the Const.  Has 3 main parts  Preamble  Articles  Amendments

3.  Preamble  States that the gov’t is of, by, and for the people  States 6 purposes  1) unite the states  2) everyone treated equally  3) keep peace & order  4) protect from invaders  5) help people live happy  6) guarantee rights to all & to the future

4.  Articles  Article I  Legislative Branch  Law-making branch  Congress = 2 houses  Senate  House of Reps  Rules for who can be elected  What powers they have  Rules for making laws

5.  Article II  Executive  Law-enforcing branch  President & VP  How they are elected  How they can be removed  Command armed forces  Make treaties w/ other nations

6.  Article III  Judicial Branch  Interprets laws  Supreme court & lower courts  Powers of fed courts  Types of cases they may hear

7.  Article IV  Explains relationship btw state & nat. gov’t  All states will honor laws of other states  Article V  How Constitution can be changed  Article VI  Declares Constitution “Supreme Law of the Land”  Article VII  How it is to be ratified

8.  Amending the Constitution  Thousands of changes have been thought about  Only 27 have been made  Process made hard on purpose  Process  Proposal  Congressional action  Method used for all amendments so far  2/3 rd vote needed for both houses  National convention  2/3 rd of states legislatures  Has not been done before

9.  Ratifying  3/4 th of all states must accept it  Vote of state legislatures or;  Vote by special state convention  Only 21 st Amend. Has voted in by state conv.

10.  Necessary & Proper Clause  Article I gives Congress power to make laws  That are necessary & proper  Gives powers that not listed  “implied powers”  “Loose Interpretation”  Congress should be allowed to make laws the const. doesn’t forbid  “Strict Interpretation”  They should make only laws const. mentions

11.  Court Decisions  Supreme Court is final authority on interpreting laws  Interpretation does & has changed  Legislative & Presidential Action  Legislature can impeach fed. officials  Senate determines guilt  Pres. proposes bills & budgets  He makes agreements w/other countries  It’s not in const. 