1. The United States Constitution
Chapter 4
Essential Question: How and why did the framers distribute power in the Constitution?

2. Essential Question No need to write this.
How and why did the framers distribute power in the Constitution?
“Framers” = those who framed or set up the Constitution
Not farmers = people who farm

3. Structure of Constitution
It is divided into Articles, Sections, and Clauses (like an outline)
Starts with the Preamble…
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.
We the (__1__) of the (__2__) (__3__) in Order to form a more perfect (__4__), establish (__5__), insure domestic (__6__), provide for the common (__7__), promote the general (__8__), and secure the Blessings of (__9__) to ourselves and our (__10__), do ordain and (__11__) this (__12__) for the (__13__) (__14__) of (__15__).

4. Big question How much power should federal (national) government have?
Gov’t attempt #1 – Articles of Confederation
National gov’t – was weak on purpose
State gov’ts – were stronger
Lasted only 6 years
Gov’t attempt #2 – U.S. Constitution
National gov’t – was strong
State gov’ts – were weaker
Is still going strong

5. Structure (continued, page 378)
Articles, Sections, Clauses. There are 7 Articles…
Article I = legislative branch (Congress)
Article II = executive branch (the president)
Article III = judicial branch (Supreme Court, and federal courts)
Article IV = the states
Article V = how to amend (change) the Constitution
Article VI = “supremacy” of the Constitution (it rules) and misc. stuff
Article VII = ratification procedure

6. Constitution “Scavenger Hunt”
Get a sheet of paper to turn in.
Turn to page 378 in the textbook.
Find the scavenger hunt “items” listed at  “Constitutional Scavenger Hunt”

7. Key Terms of the Constitution
Due process of law – the set of procedures that an accused person is guaranteed
Habeas corpus – the right to go before a judge to hear your charges
Judicial review – the Supreme Court’s power to interpret laws and the Constitution

8. Key Terms (continued)
Enumerated powers – powers specifically listed (numbered) in the Constitution (Article I, section 8, clauses 1-17)
Strict interpretation – saying the federal government can only do what is literally written down in the Constitution, nothing more.
Implied powers (AKA: the “elastic clause”, AKA: the “necessary and proper clause”) – powers NOT listed but are hinted at (Article I, section 8, clause 18)
Loose interpretation – saying the federal government can do more than just what’s written. This is using the Elastic Clause to stretch federal power.

9. Amending the Constitution
There are a couple of ways, but usually…
Step 1 – 2/3 of Congress votes for the Amendment
Step 2 – 3/4 of the states ratify the Amendment
Amendments are hard to get done—that was the plan. The framers wanted a broad, general Constitution. Specifics were left up to the states.

10. Amendment Pictures Draw a table with 20 boxes (4 columns, 5 rows)
Draw a picture or symbol for the following Amendments:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
8, 9, 10
13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 21
24, 25, 26