1. The Constitution

2. The Constitution: The Basics
The Constitution is a blueprint for how our government should be run.
The Constitution’s main purpose is to provide a way to limit the power of government.
By doing this, it ensure that our rights are protected.

3. Principles of the Constitution
The Constitution is based on 6 principles:
1.) Democratic Rule
2.) Limited Power of Govt.
3.) Separation of Powers (3 Branches)‏
4.) Checks & Balances
5.) Judicial Review
6.) Federalism

4. The Sections of the Constitution
The Constitution is separated into three parts:
Preamble:
An introduction to the constitution that tells you its purpose.
Articles:
Outline for how the government should be run.
There are 7 articles total.
Amendments:
Legal changes to the Constitution.
There are currently 27 amendments.

5. Quick Write Create a Preamble
Please read the preamble to the Constitution on page 319 in your Government textbook.
Next, re-write the Preamble in your own words.
Example: We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union…..
Mr. Duran’s Version We the people of the United States, in order to create a better country……

6. Constitutional Outline
Please fill in the Constitutional Outline that was handed out by Mr. Duran.
Write a Sum-It-Up sentence for each article in the Constitution.
Include an additional fact about each article using pages

7. Articles of the Constitution
The Constitution has 7 articles:
Article 1: The Legislative Branch
Article 2: The Executive Branch
Article 3: The Judicial Branch

8. Articles of the Constitution
Article 4: State Governments
Article 5: Amendments

9. Articles of the Constitution
Article 6: Constitution as Higher Law
Article 7: Ratification of Constitution

10. beClause I Said So
There are three important clauses in the Articles of the Constitution
Clause: a part of the Constitution that grants certain power to people or govt.

11. Supremacy Clause
Article VI states that the “Constitution is the supreme law of the land.”
This establishes the Constitution as a higher law.
In any conflict between national and state law, the national law has higher authority.

12. Elastic Clause
Congress can make any laws that are “necessary & proper” for them to perform their duties
Allows Congress to “stretch” their power
Examples:
Creation of Air Force
Military Draft

13. General Welfare Clause
“To provide for the common defense and general welfare [common good] of the United States”
This rule allows Congress to pass any law that benefits the common good

14. Government Games
Add 1 fact to each article in your Government Skills: Understanding Articles I-III Worksheet by playing two online games about the 3 Branches.
Please visit the Class Wiki and click the games link under the 'Constitution' tab.

15. Powers Granted in Constitution
There are 3 types of power granted in the U.S. Constitution:
Delegated Powers
Reserved Powers
Concurrent Powers

16. Delegated Powers Powers held by Federal Government
These powers are listed in the U.S. Constitution (Enumerated Powers)
Also includes clauses (Implied Powers)
Examples: - Regulate Interstate Trade - Create a Post Office
- General Welfare Clause - Coin Money

17. Reserved Powers Powers reserved for the States
These powers are protected by the 10th Amendment
Not all are specifically stated
Examples:
- Establish Schools - Marriage Laws - Regulate trade within border

18. Concurrent (Shared) Powers
Powers held by both Federal & State Government
Examples:
- Taxes - Law Enforcement - Establish Court System

20. Solve the Problem: Legislative Power & Article I
Please split up into your group assigned by Mr. Duran.
Please read the 6 proposed laws on page 135 in your WTP textbook.
Explain WHY each bill can become a law using either an Enumerated Power or an Implied Power (Clause)
Use both if you can!‏

21. Powers Withheld from Govt.
The Constitution also limits the power of govt. by prohibiting it from performing certain legal actions.
These include:
- Enforcing Ex Post Facto Laws
- Passing Bills of Attainder
- Denying a person the right to a Writ of Habeas Corpus

22. WTP Vocab. Work Terms to Know: - Delegated Power - Concurrent Power
- Habeas Corpus
- Bills of Attainder
- Ex Post Facto
- N & P Clause (Elastic Clause)
- Article
- Amendment
- Preamble
- Supremacy Clause

23. Puzzlemaker!
Your assignment: make a Crossword Puzzle using your vocabulary terms from your WTP book.
Listen to directions from Mr. Duran.
Print your assignment when you finish.

24. Amendments An amendment is a change in the Constitution
In 230 years, the Constitution has only been amended 27 times
Example: 13th Amendment (ended slavery), 19th Amendment (women right to vote)‏
Last amendment: 1992 (stop increases in Congress salary)‏

25. Choose an Amendment
Silently read the 27 Amendments to the US Constitution.
Choose 4 amendments that interest you and 1 that you consider to be NOT important.
Use pages in your textbook for a list of the amendments.

26. Federalists v. Anti-Federalists
VS.
Arguments over whether to crate Constitution or just fix AOC
Main arguments around State v. Natl. Power
Federalists wanted a new Constitution
Anti-Feds wanted improved AOC

27. A Tale of Two Sides Anti-Federalists Federalists Strong state govt.
Limit natl. govt. power
State militias
Low taxes
Favored lower & farming classes
Federalists
Strong natl. govt.
Natl. army
Higher Taxes
Often favored the wealthy classes

30. Judicial Review
Any law created by either National or State government is subject to judicial review
Judicial Review: Ability of Supreme Court to review laws and decide if they follow the Constitution

31. Marbury v. Madison (1803)
VS.

32. Background Summary: Discussion & Questions
Please follow along to the Background Summary of the Marbury v. Madison Case.
Next, participate in a class discussion over the 3 Background summary questions.
Record your answers during the discussion.

33. Marbury v. Madison Web Search & Summary
Your goal is to complete a Web Search to gather the necessary background information in understanding the Marbury v. Madison court case.
Your search will focus on 4 main topics: - Judiciary Act of Writ of Mandamus - Original Jurisdiction - The Case itself