1. The Constitution Chapter 3

2.  Outline of Constitution  Framework and procedures  Limits and conduct  Preamble- short introduction  Articles- Sections (7) Section 1 The Six Basic Principles

3.  Popular Sovereignty  People = the only source for any and all governmental power  “We the People…do ordain and establish this constitution The Basic Principles

4.  Limited Government  Gov’t may only do those things that people give them power to do  Gov’t must obey the law  Constitutionalism – Gov’t must be conducted according to constitutional principles  Constitution clearly states what gov’t can and can’t do, guarantees certain personal freedoms The Basic Principles

5.  Separation of Powers  Powers are distributed among distinct and independent branches (Presidential system)  Article I – Legislative  Article II – Executive  Article III - Judicial The Basic Principles

6.  Checks and Balances  3 branches are separate but tied together  Each branch is subject to restraints by the other branches  President can veto or reject  Congress approves appointments and treaties The Basic Principles

7.  Judicial Review  Courts determine whether government action is within the constitutional law  May declare an action unconstitutional- illegal or null and void  Established in Marbury vs. Madison The Basic Principles

8.  Division of power among a central gov’t and regional governments  How to keep states’ rights and strengthen the federal gov’t? Federalism

9.  The Constitution has been changed many times  Formal Amendment  Informal Amendment Section 2 Formal Amendment

10.  Amendment – to change: Changing the written words of the Const.  Art. V sets out 2 ways to propose and ratify amendments  4 possible methods of Formal Amendment Formal Amendment Process

11.  2/3 vote in each house of Congress  Ratified by ¾ of State Legislatures  38 of the State Leg. need to approve today  26 of the 27 amendments were proposed this way 1 st Method

12.  Proposed by Congress  Ratified by Conventions in ¾ of the states  Conventions more likely to represent the peoples’ opinion  Used for the 21 st Amendment 2 nd Method

13.  Proposed by a national convention called by Congress at request of 2/3 of State Legislatures  Ratified by ¾ of State Legislatures  Never been done this way 3 rd Method

14.  Proposed by national convention  Ratified by ¾ of States  Constitution was adopted this way 4 th Method

16. Federalism and Popular Sovereignty  People have the power to ratify amendments  State Legislators are elected by the people  May have party interests, name recognition, etc.  Convention representatives chosen by the people

17.  Amendment proposals do not have to go to president  If not ratified, there is a time limit set on how long it can stay proposed.  More than 10,000 resolutions since 1789  33 have made it to the states Proposed Amendments

18.  Bill of Rights  1 st ten Amendments added within 3 years of Const. being ratified  Proposed by 1 st Congress  Deal with freedom and security of the people 27 Amendments

19.  Process by which over time many changes have been made that did not involve changes to the written works  Passage of legislation  Actions taken by the President  Key decisions of the Supreme Court  Activities of political parties  custom Section 3 Informal Amendment

20.  Laws that spell out the brief provisions  Judicial branch  Cabinet  The way Congress uses its powers  Foreign and Interstate commerce Basic Legislation

21.  How the president uses their power  Using the Army without declaring war  Executive agreement vs treaty Executive Action

22.  Interprets the Constitution  Can change over time Court Decisions

23.  Political Parties are not mentioned in the Const.  Presidential nominations?  Presidential appointments? Party Practices

24.  Cabinet  Line of succession  “no 3 rd term” Custom