1. The Preamble The Preamble establishes goals for the new government:
A government of the people
A “more perfect union”
Provide for common defense
Establish justice
Promote general welfare
Ensure domestic tranquility (peace)
Ensure liberty

2. “We the People” The government is founded by its citizens
The government serves the people, not the other way around

3. “A more perfect union” Form a stronger nation
Looking to avoid the weakness of the Articles of Confederation
The states would give up some power to the new federal government

4. “Provide for the common defense”
To defend the nation
As of 1787 when this was written, the U.S. was threatened by British forces in Canada and Spanish in Florida.
It gives the federal government authority to maintain the military

5. Establish Justice
The federal government would be the protector of rights
It would have the final say in legal matters
A federal court system would be created to do this

6. “Promote the General Welfare”
The government would have the responsibility to do what it can to improve the lives of its citizens
The government has the power to take action on behalf of its citizens
How does the government accomplish this?

7. “Ensure domestic tranquility”
Government has a duty to keep the peace at home
It can control criminal activity
It has the authority to help society run smoothly

8. “Ensure the Blessings of Liberty”
Protects the basic freedoms that all citizens enjoy
Passes on our rights and freedoms to all the generations that follow (i.e. YOU!)

9. Principles behind the Constitution
Popular Sovereignty: people have the right to rule themselves
Limited Government: the government cannot do anything it wants
Federalism: power is shared with the national and state governments

10. Federalism Delegated Powers: given only to the national government
Reserved Powers: given only to the states
Concurrent Powers: shared by national and state governments

12. Supremacy Clause The Constitution is the supreme law of the land
Any law or government action that conflicts with the Constitution is cancelled out
State government cannot go against the national government

13. “Necessary and Proper” Clause
“Congress shall have the power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper to carry out its duties” [Article I, section 8]
It allows Congress to take on powers not specifically listed in the Constitution
Without it, Congress could not take action on modern problems
Also known as the “elastic clause”
How has the clause made the Air Force possible?

14. Separation of Powers
Government is divided into 3 branches: legislative, executive, and judicial
A system of Checks and balances keeps any one branch from getting too powerful

15. A living document
One of the greatest accomplishments of the Constitution is to realize it had weaknesses
It allows itself to be changed as times change
An Amendment is a change or addition to the Constitution

16. The Amendment Process
Can be proposed by a 2/3 vote of both houses of Congress or a vote of 2/3 of state legislatures
It must be approved by ¾ of state legislatures to take effect
It can also be approved by ¾ of state ratifying conventions, although this has never happened
Only 27 amendments have been added in history

17. Why change the Constitution?
The original Constitution worked well in 18th Century America
Without changes, it would not work for us today, for example:
Slavery was allowed
Women could not vote
African-Americans were not guaranteed the right to vote
Senate was chosen by State legislatures
President and Vice President chosen separately
Amendments have resolved these issues to modern times

18. All amendments aren’t a good idea
The Amendment process is difficult, on purpose.
Most proposed amendments never make it.
Many proposed amendments reflect the beliefs of the times. The process attempts to keep the Constitution timeless

19. 1876: The Senate shall be abolished

20. 1916: All acts of war should be put to a national vote
1916: All acts of war should be put to a national vote. Anyone voting yes has to register as a volunteer for service in the United States Army

21. 1933: An attempt to limit the personal wealth to $1 million

22. 1990: The Congress shall have the power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States."