The Constitution

3b. Analyze the purpose of government stated in the Preamble of the United States Constitution. Preamble=introduction (states why the Constitution was written). Purpose of government is to provide stability and order, protect citizen’s liberties, and serve the people. Preamble is followed by 7 articles (divisions) that lay out the foundations of our government.

Article I Section 1- Established the legislative branch. Section 2 and 3- Detailed the two houses of Congress (HOR and Senate) Remaining sections set procedures for passing laws, list types of laws Congress may pass, and specify powers Congress does not have. Article I

Creates the Executive branch, to carry out laws passed by legislate. Each section details the powers and duties of the presidency, describes qualifications and procedures for electing the President, and provides for a Vice President. Article II

Article III Establishes the Supreme Court to head the Judicial branch. Gives national government the power to create lower federal courts. Outlines jurisdiction (authority) of the Supreme Court. Article III

Explains the relationship between states to one another and to the national government. Requires states give citizens of other states same rights as those within their state. Addresses admitting new states. Guarantees that the national government will protect the states against invasion or domestic violence. Article IV

Explains ways the Constitution can be amended. Article V

Article VI Establishes the Supremacy Clause. Laws passed by Congress and treaties of the United States “Shall be the Supreme Law of the Land.” Article VI

Explains ratification and says the Constitution takes effect after ratification by nine states. The new Constitutional government began March 4, 1789. Article VII

Standard 3c

Six Fundamental Principles Popular Sovereignty Federalism Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Judicial Review Limited Government Six Fundamental Principles

Popular Sovereignty Literally means “Rule by the People” US government is based on consent of the governed; the authority for government flows from the people. Popular Sovereignty

Under federalism, power is divided between national and state governments. In 1787 the AOC had failed, because it was a weak central government, but people still feared a strong national government, so they created a government that shares powers. DO NOT confuse the word federalism with federal government, a phrase that simply refers to the national government in Washington. Federalism

The Constitution limits the central government by dividing power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Under Separation of Powers, each branch has its own responsibilities. The founders hoped this would avoid any one branch from gaining too much power. Separation of Powers

The founders added checks and balances to separation of powers so that each branch could have some control over the others. See pg. 66 Checks and Balances

The power of the courts to declare laws and actions of local, state, or national governments invalid if they violate the Constitution. All federal courts have this power, but the Supreme Court is the final authority. Judicial Review

The principle of Limited Government means that the Constitution limits the actions of government by specifically listing powers it does and does not have. See pg. 67 Limited Government