Chapter 3 The Constitution Sections 3 and 4 Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and Amending the Constitution

© EMC Publishing, LLC Maintaining a Republic  A republic offers opportunities for abusing political power.  Constitutional controls are needed to restrict those opportunities.  The U.S. Constitution provides two main safeguards against tyranny: Separation of powers Checks and balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.” (James Madison, The Federalist No. 51)

© EMC Publishing, LLC Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances

© EMC Publishing, LLC Your Turn What is the difference between the principle of separation of powers and the principle of checks and balances? In your answer, include an example of how our Constitution uses each principle.

© EMC Publishing, LLC Separation of Powers  Articles I, II, and III of the Constitution establish three separate branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial.  No branch can act entirely independently, yet none can be entirely dependent on the others.  Creating this interrelationship between branches is a unique way of preventing tyranny.

© EMC Publishing, LLC Amending and Interpreting the Constitution Formal Amendment  Passing amendments is the only way to change the Constitution officially.  Article V of the Constitution contains the rules for formal amendment.  The founders intentionally made it difficult to amend the Constitution. Interpretation  Through laws, executive orders, court decisions, and custom, the government can change the way we interpret the Constitution.

© EMC Publishing, LLC Formal Amendments  10,000 amendments have been proposed.  Of those, only 27 have been enacted.  The amendments we have passed serve four general purposes: To increase equality To guarantee rights To improve government functioning To make policies

© EMC Publishing, LLC Amendments to the Constitution Categories Amendment Numbers Years Ratified Bill of RightsI–X1791 Pre–Civil WarXI–XII1795–1804 Civil War– Reconstruction XIII–XV1865–1870 Twentieth CenturyXVI–XXVII1913–1992

© EMC Publishing, LLC Your Turn Turn to Figure 3.4, on page 92, in your textbook. Choose the six amendments that you think are the most important additions to the U.S. Constitution, and rank them in order of importance (with 1 being most important). Briefly explain your choices.

© EMC Publishing, LLC Process for Amending the Constitution