1. An Overview of the Constitution

2. An Outline of the U.S. Constitution
The Articles of Confederation had provided the new nation with domestic and international legitimacy, at the price of a weak general government. The new Constitution created a stronger federal government with a chief executive, the power to tax, and a court system.
Warm-Up
Explain the concepts of Constitutionalism and The Rule of Law

3. An Outline of the U.S. Constitution
Sets the Rules/Structure, roles/responsibilities, power relationships
The Constitution Sets out basic principles rather than a detailed plan. .. Pro or Con?

4. An Outline of Govt.
The Constitution is a fairly brief document. Contrast this with the U.S. legal code…Why??

5. Three of the Six Basic Principles: What is it. How does it work
Three of the Six Basic Principles: What is it? How does it work? Provide an Example from the Constitution
popular sovereignty
asserts that the people are the source of any and all government power, and government can exist only with the consent of the governed.
limited government
states that government is restricted in what it may do by the expressed powers and the Bill of Rights.
Separation of powers
is the principle in which the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government are three independent and coequal branches of government.

6. Basic Principles
The principle of popular sovereignty was set out in the Constitution. Analyze Political Cartoons According to the cartoon, what is citizens' role in the government?

7. Checks and balances judicial review Federalism
More of the Basic Principles: What is it? How does it work? Provide an Example
Checks and balances
is the system that allows the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to check, or restrain, the actions of one another.
judicial review
consists of the power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action.
Federalism
a system of government in which the powers of government are divided between a central government and several local governments.

8. More Basic Principles
The legislative, executive, and judicial branches are connected by a system of checks and balances. Analyze Political Cartoons What is one way the President can check the powers of Congress?

9. More Basic Principles
The system of checks and balances allows each branch of government to limit the actions of the others. Analyze Diagrams How can the executive branch be checked by the other two branches?

10. Basic Principles Explored
A united or divided government has a significant impact on the number of bills passed. Analyze Charts
What conclusion can you draw about furthering a political agenda in these situations?
Which of the basic principles is threatened by united government?

11. An Outline of Govt.
How is the Constitution organized?
Project Part 1:

12. An Outline of Govt.
The Constitution is organized into eight sections: the Preamble and seven articles. The original document is followed by 27 amendments.

13. An Outline of the U.S. Constitution
The body of the Constitution is made up of seven articles. These articles set out the basic shape of the Federal Government. Analyze Charts What is the purpose of the first three articles?

14. Article I
Immediately, the Constitution establishes a bicameral legislature—that is, a legislature made up of two houses. It does so for historical, practical, and theoretical reasons.

15. Article I
Historical

16. Article I
Theoretical

17. Practical: The Great Compromise
The Virginia Plan
Three branches of government
Bicameral legislature
Lower house based on population/or monetary contributions to the central gov.
Upper house chosen by representatives in the lower house
“ One National Executive” and “National Judiciary” (chosen by congress)
The New Jersey Plan
Unicameral Congress
Equal representation for States of different sizes
More than one federal executive to be chosen by the legislature
One national Judiciary to be chosen by the executive
Would maintain strict limits on Federal power
The Connecticut Compromise
Delegates agreed on a bicameral Congress, one segment with equal representation for States, and the other with representation proportionate to the States’ populations.

18. Article I
Congress meets in the Capitol, which has undergone several additions as both the nation and Congress have grown. Analyze Maps Why are both chambers in the same building?

19. Article II
Article II of the Constitution is known as the Executive Article, which in only a few words established the presidency. It begins this way:
“ The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.”

20. Article III
During the years the Articles of Confederation were in force (1781–1789), there was no provision for federal courts or a national judiciary. The laws of the United States were interpreted and applied as each State saw fit, and sometimes not at all. Disputes between States and between persons who lived in different States were decided, if at all, by the courts in one of the States involved. Often, decisions by the courts in one State were ignored by courts in the other States.
“ The judicial power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time establish.”
…shall hold their offices during good behavior….and a compensation which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.”

21. Article III

22. Study Guide Review