The Structure of the US Constitution

Did you know?There are 4,440 words in the U.S.

Constitution. It is the oldest and shortest written Constitution of any major government in the world. Why do you think it is a model for other Constitutions in the world?

Did you know?There are 4,440 words in the U.S. Constitution. It is the oldest and shortest written Constitution of any major government in the world. Why do you think it is a model for other Constitutions in the world?

“Life is good.

Learn about

YOUR

Constitution

today so life

can be better

enjoyed.”

“But just as they did in Philadelphia when they were writing the constitution, sooner or later, you've got to compromise. You've got to start making the compromises that arrive at a consensus and move the country forward.”-Colin Powell

JOURNAL #1

Structure of the US Constitution3 main parts:

1. Preamble-intro/purpose2. 7 Articles-describes powers and duties of the gov’t

• Lets • Eat• Jellybeans• So• All• Students • Rock

3. 27 Amendments (changes)

Preamble-An Introduction: gives

the purposes and goals of the new government

YOUTUBE……

-We, the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common Defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Posterity=after= generations to come

Read the preamble and identify and briefly explain the 6 goals of our government according to this document.

Preamble-An Introduction: gives

the purposes and goals of the new government

YOUTUBE……

-We, the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common Defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Posterity=after= generations to come

Identify the 6 goals of the Constitution

1.Form a more perfect union=together/United2.Establish Justice=fairness in govt/rights3.Insure Domestic Tranquility = peace at home4.Provide for the common defense5.Promote the general welfare=common good6.Secure the blessings of liberty=freedom

Article I

-Describes the Congress and its powers (make laws)

-Divides Congress into two Houses: the Senate & the House of Representatives

-Sets qualification and terms of members

-Describes the law making process

-Specifically denies certain powers to Congress

-Delegates certain powers to Congress

Ex.: taxation, borrow money, regulate commerce, coin money, declare war, establish military, do anything “necessary and proper”

L =1123, LEJ

Article II-Describes the Executive Branch

-Terms and Qualifications of the President

-Electoral method described (later amended – 12th Amendment)

- The Executive is the commander in chief.

-Powers include: to make treaties, appoint officials, execute (carry out) the laws of the United States

-Impeachment process – The Executive can be removed from Office if convicted of treason, bribery, or other high Crimes & Misdemeanors.

E=2123, LEJ

ARTICLE III

Describes the Judicial Branch who interpret the law

-Terms and qualification of judges

-Jurisdiction of Federal Courts

-Right to Trial by Jury in Federal Cases

-Crime of Treason is defined

J=3LEJ, 123

When interpreting a law, the Supreme Court can exercise its right of judicial review (to declare a law unconstitutional). “Marbury v. Madison” established this power which made the Judicial branch equal in power to the other 2 branches. The Supreme Court can exercise this power only if a case is presented to them.

Article IV

-Describes the relationship of states to one another and the central government

-Full Faith and Credit clause describes the legal relationship between states

-Extradition process described; the process of returning fugitives-Addition of new states and territories-Guarantee of Federal protection from invaders

Means that each state will accept the decisions of civil courts in other states; EX: the acceptance of a state’s official records (marriage certificates, wills, contracts, property deeds) by other states.

ARTICLE V

Describes the amendment process

-sets up the two methods of proposing an amendment

1. by Congress (only method ever used)2. by state conventions

THINK!!!

• How is the amendment process governed by majority rule?

An amendment can only be proposed by a majority of members of Congress or a majority of the states. A majority of the states must ratify an amendment for it to become part of the Constitution!

Amendments can be repealed!

Repeal means to cancel!

How can an amendment be repealed?•By approving another amendment!•EX: The 18th Amendment (prohibition) was repealed by the 21st Amendment.

ADD TO THE BACK OF PAGE 14

Article VI

-Describes the supremacy of the Constitution and the national government

-Statement that the Constitution is the Supreme Law of the nation (Supremacy Clause)

Federal law takes precedence over state laws.

-requirement of an oath of office in all State and Federal positions to support the Constitution

Article VII

-Describes the process of ratification of the Constitution

Sets up the two methods

of ratifying a new amendment:

1. State Conventions 2. State Legislatures

ISSUE: REPRESENTATION

“MADISON’S or the VIRGINIA PLAN”

- James Madison – father of the Constitution

-3 branches

-bicameral Congress = 2 house legislature: House of Representatives/Senate

-representation in the House – based on population

THE US CONSTITUTION IS BASED ON COMPROMISE.

NEW JERSEY PLAN

-small state plan

-equal voting in the Senate (2 per state)

-Promoted state’s rights

COMPROMISE RESULTS

-the Great Compromise also called the Connecticut Compromise

House proportional representation

Senate equal representation

-3/5 Compromise – to balance representation between the North & the South

-Slave Trade Compromise – not to mention slavery in the Constitution in exchange for ending the slave trade in 1808

- Tariff: The National government can tax imports but not exports.

Fabulous Friday, September 11

Opening Activity:Journal #3:Explain how our government is organized to maintain order, provide security, look out for the welfare of the public, and protect the citizens. You must include the term, jurisdiction, in your response.

D14

Principles (Ideas) upon which our government is

based

Limited Government

- Is the belief that a gov’ts powers should be limited, an idea we got from the Magna Carta that limited the power of the British monarch

-EX: the rule of law- protects against abusive gov’t- government-majority rule is not always

acceptable-prevents abuse by factions

-Constitution lists powers not given to the government and rights that are to be guaranteed.

Majority rule is the principle that in a disagreement, everyone will accept the decision of the majority

Federalism is an example of how we have a limited government. How so?

system designed to have the separate

parts of government watch over

each other

-Executive

-Legislative

-Judicial

Checks and Balances

Partners: Create 3 political cartoons all based on the principle of checks & balances:1.One cartoon showing how Legislative branch checks the Executive and Judicial branches.2.One cartoon showing how the Executive branch checks the Legislative and Judicial branches.3.One cartoon showing how the Judicial Branch “checks the Legislative and Executive branches.