U NIT 4 Day 17: Constitution

Q UESTIONS OF THE D AY 1. Describe and analyze the structure of the U.S. Constitution. 2. Evaluate the Preamble of the Constitution. Did the new government created by this Constitution live up to its original goals? Why or why not? 3. How do the three branches of government work together to provide leadership for the people? 4. Analyze the Supremacy Clause in Article 6 of the U.S. Constitution. In what ways does this clause limit the powers of the states? Why is this clause necessary

S TRUCTURE Preamble Articles 1-7 Amendments 1-27 (1-10 called the Bill of Rights!) Listen to Preamble

P REAMBLE 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 our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

T HE P REAMBLE states the goals and purposes of government. 1 st part says government gets its power from the people and exists to serve them. The Preamble states 6 purposes: “To form a more perfect Union” “To establish Justice” “To insure domestic Tranquility” “To provide for the common defense” “To promote the general Welfare” “To secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity”

A NSWER QOD#2 IN N OTES

T HE A RTICLES explain how government is to work. First three articles describe the powers and responsibilities of the three branches of government. What are the Checks and Balances?

A RTICLE I – L EGISLATIVE B RANCH Article I describes the legislative branch as two houses with lawmaking authority. It then describes how members will be chosen. The article also lists specific powers Congress does and does not have.

A RTICLE II – E XECUTIVE B RANCH establishes the executive, or law-enforcing, branch headed by a president and vice president. It explains how these leaders will be elected and can be removed, and describes their powers and duties.

A RTICLE III – J UDICIAL B RANCH Article III establishes the judicial branch to interpret and apply the laws. It calls for one Supreme Court plus lower courts and describes the powers of federal courts.

A RTICLE IV, V, VI & VII Article IV says that all states must respect one another’s laws and explains the process of creating new states. Article V specifies how the Constitution can be amended. Article VI declares that the Constitution is the “supreme Law of the Land” and federal law prevails over state law. Article VII states that the Constitution would take effect when nine states ratify it.

C LAUSES (N OT THE GRAMMAR KIND !) An article, phrase, or sentence that relates to one particular legal topic The Constitution is made up of 100’s of clauses Elastic clause (Group 1) Supremacy clause (Group 2) Full Faith and Credit clause (Group 3)

L EGISLATIVE E XPLORATION : W E T HE P EOPLE : L ESSON 13, P AGE Define all vocabulary words (13) Take notes on the lesson Answer 1-2 under “what do YOU think?” on page 73