1. United States Constitution U.S. Government Class

2. Pre-Amble A. States the following purposes 1. Establish a government that provides cooperation between the states 2. Ensure justice and peace 3. Provide a military 4. Secure liberty via the concepts of Popular Sovereignty and representative government

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

4. Six Basic Principles of the Constitution A. Popular Sovereignty B. Limited Government C. Separation of Powers D. Checks and Balances E. Judicial Review F. Federalism

5. A. Popular Sovereignty 1. In the United States, all political power resides with the people 2. The people are the only source of government

6. B. Limited Government 1. No government is all powerful 2. Government may only do those things that the people have given it the power to do

7. C. Separation of Powers 1. The basic powers are distributed among three distinct and individual branches of government

8. D. Checks and Balances 1. Connects the three independent branches to ensure that not a single one becomes more powerful

9. E. Judicial Review 1. The power of the courts to determine whether what government does is in accord with what the Constitution does

10. F. Federalism 1. Division of power among a central government and several regional governments 2. in the U.S. (Federal, state, and local)

11. Article I. Legislative Department A. Legislative Power of Congress B. House of Representatives C. Senate D. Elections and Meetings E. Legislative Proceedings F. Compensations, Immunities, Disability G. Revenue Bills, Presidential Veto

12. H. Powers of Congress I. Powers Denied Congress J. Powers Denied to the States

13. Article II Executive Department A. Executive Power 1. The Presidential Team 2. Election, Qualifications 3. Compensation 4. Oath of Office

14. Article III Judicial Department A. Judicial Power 1. courts 2. Terms of Office B. Jurisdiction C. Treason

15. Article IV Relations Among the States A. Full Faith and Credit B. Privileges and Immunities of Citizens C. New States and Territories D. Protection Afforded to States by the Nation

16. Article V Provisions for Amendments A. Formal Amendment: Change or additions to the Constitution B. Four ways to propose amendments

17. Amendments 1. Proposed by 2/3 of each house in Congress and ratified by ¾ of the states (38/50) 2. 2/3 of Congress and ratified in a called Convention by ¾ of the states (used for 21 st ) 3. Proposed by the National Conventions at the request of State Legislatures (has never happened) 4. By national convention and ratify by a called convention of the states

18. Article VI Public Debts; Supremacy of Natural Law; Oath A. U.S. will pay all debts prior to it’s Constitution being instituted B. Federal law is supreme, superior over any state or local law C. All government officials shall be held to the oath or affirmation of support to the Constitution

19. Article VII Ratification of the Constitution A. Done in Convention by the unanimous consent of the states present on September 17 th, 1787