1. 3.3 THE CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE AND ARTICLES

2. MAIN PURPOSE Provides a framework for government
Highest authority in nation
Outlines the powers for the branches
Three main parts:
Preamble
7 Articles
Amendments

3. PREAMBLE States goals and purposes of government
Makes it clear that the government gets its power from the people and exists to serve them

4. SIX PURPOSES - PREAMBLE
To form a more perfect union
To establish justice
To ensure domestic tranquility
To provide for the common defense
To promote the general welfare
To secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity

5. Constitution Acronym
Little
Emily
Just
Saw A
Silly
Rabbit

6. Major Principles of the Constitution
Popular Sovereignty – people have the ability to rule themselves
Why do we have the ELECTORAL COLLEGE?
Limited Government – power of the government is restricted through the Bill of Rights (1st 10 amendments)

7. Bill of Rights 6. Speedy Trial
1. Freedoms Amendment (speech, press, assembly, petition, religion)
2. Right to Bear Arms
3. No Quartering of Soldiers
4. No unwanted search and seizure
5. Due Process
6. Speedy Trial
7. Trial by jury in Civil Cases 8. No Cruel or Unusual Punishment
9. Rights given to the people
Rights given to the states

8. Federalism – Division of government into levels
Republicanism – in a republic citizen give their power to perform government duties to those they elect ( voting)
Federalism – Division of government into levels
National ( supreme in power)
State
local

9. Separation of Powers – the division of each level of government into branches (Montesquieu)
Executive – enforces laws
Legislative – makes laws
Judicial – interprets laws
Checks & Balances – system in our government where no branch can get out of the balance of power
Veto/ override

10. Enumerated Powers – those powers given to the national gov’t
Declaring war, making treaties, naturalization,
Reserved powers – powers given to the states
Marriage laws, divorce laws, Education
Concurrent powers – powers shared between state and federal gov’t
Power to tax,

11. ARTICLE I "Little" Legislative Branch Describes Legislative Branch
Two houses (bicameral)
Lawmaking authority
How members will be chosen
Powers of Congress
Powers denied to Congress

12. ARTICLE II "Emily" Executive Branch Executive Branch Law Enforcing
Headed by President and Vice President
Explains how leaders will be elected and how they can be removed from office
Describes their duties and powers

13. ARTICLE III "Just" Judicial Branch Judicial Branch
Interpret and apply law
Calls for a Supreme Court and lower courts
Describes the power of federal courts

14. ARTICLE IV "Saw" States All states respect each other’s laws
Explains the process of creating a new state

15. "A"
ARTICLE V
Amend
Tells how the Constitution can be amended (changed)

16. ARTICLE VI "Silly" Supreme
Declares that the Constitution is the “supreme law of the land”
Claims federal law prevails over state law

17. ARTICLE VII "Rabbit" Ratify
Declares Constitution would take effect when 9 states ratified it

18. INTERPRETING THE CONSTITUTION
The Necessary and Proper Clause: gives Congress powers not specifically listed the Constitution “implied powers”
Court Decisions
Congressional & Presidential actions
Custom

19. Articles Acronym Activity
Your assignment is to come up with your own acronym to fit the letters LEJSASR
“Little Emily Just Saw A Silly Rabbit” was the class example.
You are to create your own acronym and illustrate and color it.
Write out what each article is about. #1-7