CONSTITUTION – 10 FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW Mr. Doolittle November Describe the principles of federalism, dual sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and balances, the nature and purpose of majority rule, and the ways in which the American idea of constitutionalism preserves individual rights Evaluate the major debates that occurred during the development of the Constitution and their ultimate resolutions in such areas as shared power among institutions, divided state-federal power, slavery, the rights of individuals and states

Federal System of Government GOAL: POWER IS SHARED BETWEEN NATIONAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS NATIONAL GOVERNMENT STATE GOVERNMENT

Federal System of Government 1. In your opinion, JUDGE how well California and Governor Schwartzeneggar uses our Federal power. Explain your answer.

Separation of Powers GOAL: POWERS ARE DIVIDED BETWEEN 3 SEPARATE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT TO PREVENT ONE BRANCH FROM BECOMING TOO POWERFUL POWER CONGRESS: MAKES THE LAWS PRESIDENT: ENFORCES THE LAWS SUPREME COURT: EXPLAINS / INTERPRETS THE LAWS

Separation of Powers 2. Speculate what you think would have happened to the United States if the framers had not used the idea of Separation of Powers.

Checks and Balances EXECUTIVE - President LEGISLATIVE Congress JUDICIAL- Supreme Court GOAL: TO GRANT EACH BRANCH POWER TO CHECK THE POWER USED BY THE OTHER BRANCHES

Checks and Balances 3. Predict what you think would happen in the United States if Congress used too many Checks and Balances on President Obama.

Electing the President p President is chosen by the ELECTORAL COLLEGE # of votes in Electoral College is determined by: # of members of House of Representatives and the Senate Large States:Small States:

Electing the President 4. The United States has had 44 Presidents elected through the Electoral College, Sort the 3 you think were the best, and the 3 who were the least successful.

Judicial Review Supreme Court has power of JUDICIAL REVIEW which allows Court to review all laws made in the U.S. GOAL: To decide if governments laws are constitutional Established from Supreme Court Case called Marbury vs. Madison

Judicial Review 5. Generalize…What do you think are the benefits of serving on the U.S. Supreme Court. Could you do that job?

Constitutional Springboard “Elastic Clause” The ELASTIC CLAUSE lets Congress make all the laws it believes are “NECESSARY AND PROPER” Government can make laws necessary to regulate American Advancements not seen by CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMERS EXAMPLES: Airplanes, Communications, Computers, International Laws,

Constitutional Springboard “Elastic Clause” 6. Imagine you are in Congress 50 years from now…what kinds of new inventions and situations do you think the “Elastic Clause” will address?

Amending the Constitution There are ________ Amendments today. How are Amendments made? Proposed by 2/3 vote of H of R and Senate or a National Convention, then passed by 3/4 of the state legislatures or State Conventions 27

Amending the Constitution 7. If you could create 1 amendment for this country, what would it be? … Then what would it do to make our country greater?

Bill of Rights The first 10 amendments to the Constitution are called the BILL OF RIGHTS GOAL: To ensure that the national government would not be able to take away people’s basic freedoms 1 st – Speech, Press, Religion, Assembly and Petition 2 nd – Right to Bear Arms 4 th - Search and Seizure 5-8 th - Rights of the Accused

Bill of Rights 8. Which 3 rights and freedoms from the Bill of Rights do you feel are the most important in America today?

Slavery Slavery was debated when writing the Constitution, and is mentioned 2 specific times, although not by name. Outlawed by 13 th Amendment 3/5ths Compromise – Slaves counted during census and determining representation in Congress, as well as for Taxation. Slave Trade Compromise - Put a 20 year time limit on the importation of slaves from outside the U.S.. Outlawed in 1807.

Slavery 9. Speculate why men like George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and John Adams chose not to use the word SLAVERY in the Constitution, but mention the institution several times.

Political Parties Founding Political Parties: FEDERALISTS AND DEMOCRATIC- REPUBLICANS Current Political Parties: DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN *No mention of Political parties in the Constitution *

10. Which Political party do you support? Give reasons why you support the people, ideas and policies of that party.

Constitution: 10 Facts You Should Know QUIZ 1. The Supreme Court uses what power to decide if government laws are Constitutional? 2. What subject impacts the Constitution without being specifically mentioned by name? 3. The constitution provides ways to make sure that no branch gains more power than the others. This is called?:

4.Which groups were formed as a result of the Constitution? 5.The ideas that power is divided between state and National governments? 6. Identify the part of the Constitution which guarantees the rights of individuals against abuses of the government.

7.The division of power between 3 branches of government to prevent one from abusing it power is called: 8.Changes or Additions to the Constitution are called: 9. This clause allows Congress to make laws which it believes are “necessary and proper”. 10. Which group is responsible for electing the president?