1. Chapter 3 The U.S. Constitution
American Civics
4/6/2017
Chapter 3 The U.S. Constitution
Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution
Section 2: The Three Branches of Government
Section 3: An Enduring Document
Chapter 3

2. Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution
The Main Idea
The Constitution is an agreement between the citizens of the Untied States and the government that the people will grant powers to the government. In return, the government is to carry out the goals of the Constitution.
Reading Focus
How did the Pilgrims influence the framers of the Constitution?
What are the goals of the U.S. government as outlined in the Constitution?
What are the powers the Constitution gives to the federal and state governments?

3. The pilgrims influenced the framers of the Constitution:
Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution
The pilgrims influenced the framers of the Constitution:
November 21, 1620—The Mayflower Compact was written to create a new government of popular sovereignty for the colonists.

4. Goals of the U.S. Constitution
Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution
Goals of the U.S. Constitution
To form a more perfect union
Establish justice
Insure domestic tranquility
Provide for the common defense
Promote the general welfare
Secure the blessings of liberty

5. The Constitution establishes federal and state powers.
Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution
The Constitution establishes federal and state powers.
Delegated powers give the federal government strength to protect and serve the country.
Reserved powers are kept for the states to manage their own affairs and to balance the power of the federal government.
Concurrent powers are held by both state and federal governments.

6. The Constitution establishes federal and state powers. (continued)
Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution
The Constitution establishes federal and state powers. (continued)
The federal government is “the supreme law of the land” that all states must defer to.
Limited government checks the powers of the federal and state governments.
The Bill of Rights protects the powers of the people.

7. to keep each from getting too strong
SECTION 1
Question: Why did the Constitution establish separate powers for the state and federal governments?
to keep each from getting too strong
state government
federal government

8. Section 2: The Three Branches of Government
The Main Idea
The Constitution prevents any person, or any part of the government, from taking too much power. It does this by creating three separate branches of the federal government and distributing power among them.
Reading Focus
Why does the Constitution provide for the separation of powers?
What are the main responsibilities of each of the three branches of government?
How does the system of checks and balances work?

9. The Constitution provides for the separation of powers.
Section 2: The Three Branches of Government
The Constitution provides for the separation of powers.
Ensures no person or branch of government is too powerful
Distributes power among three branches of government:
Legislative
Judicial
Executive

10. Responsibilities of the three branches of government:
Section 2: The Three Branches of Government
Responsibilities of the three branches of government:
Legislative—the lawmaking branch
Executive—executes the country’s laws
Judicial—interprets laws and punishes law breakers

11. The system of checks and balances:
Section 2: The Three Branches of Government
The system of checks and balances:
Each branch has powers no other branch can assume.
Each branch has powers that limit the powers of the other branches.

12. SECTION 2
Question: Why does the Constitution provide for the separation of powers?
Executive
to ensure that no one branch of the U.S. government becomes too powerful
Legislative
Judicial

13. Section 3: An Enduring Document
The Main Idea
The Constitution is an enduring document that has met the needs of a changing country for more than 200 years.
Reading Focus
How did the framers envision change when writing the Constitution?
What are two ways in which the Constitution may be changed?

14. The Constitution is a living document.
Section 3: An Enduring Document
The Constitution is a living document.
It was designed to adapt to a growing, changing nation.
There are three ways the Constitution can be adapted to changing needs:
Amendment—a written change to the Constitution
Interpretation—when the Constitution is interpreted in a new way
Custom—traditions often referred of as the “unwritten Constitution”

15. The flexible Constitution benefits the United States.
Section 3: An Enduring Document
The flexible Constitution benefits the United States.
The government adapts to the changing conditions and needs of the country.
The people can repeal constitutional amendments if necessary.
Minimum wage laws are an example of flexible interpretation of the Constitution.

16. Amendments to the Constitution
Section 3: An Enduring Document
Amendments to the Constitution
Proposal by two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress, or by two thirds of state legislatures calling for a national convention to propose the amendment
The proposal must be ratified by three fourths of the states.
Proposals may be sent to the state legislatures or to state conventions for ratification.
Approved amendments may be repealed by new amendments.

17. Why the Constitution Is Called a Living Document
SECTION 3
Question: Why is the Constitution called a “living” document?
Why the Constitution Is Called a Living Document
because its provisions enable government to change to meet changing conditions

18. Chapter 3 Wrap-Up
What are the six goals of government as stated in the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution?
What are the three branches of the federal government, and what are their primary responsibilities?
How does the system of checks and balances in the federal government work?
What makes the Constitution of the United States a living document?
How can the Constitution be amended?