1. Chapter 3: The Constitution
American Citizenship
Chapter 3: The Constitution

2. Section 1
Six Basic Principles

3. An Outline of the Constitution
Contains roughly 7,000 words
Preamble
Articles
First three articles deal with the three branches of the National Government
Legislative
Executive
Judiciary
Basic Organization and Powers

4. An Outline of the Constitution (Con’t)
Article IV
States Powers and Relationship with National Government
Article V
Amendments Proposal and Ratification
Article VI
Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land
Article VII
Methods of Ratification of the Constitution
Followed by 27 Amendments

5. Basic Principles Popular Sovereignty Limited Government
Governed by the People
“We the People…” Preamble
Limited Government
Government is not all powerful
Rule of Law
Government and its officials are always subject to the law

6. Basic Principles (Con’t)
Separation of Powers
Congress is the lawmaking body
Executive is the law enforcing and executing branch
Judiciary interprets and applies the laws
Each Branch is separate and independent

7. Basic Principles (Con’t)
Checks and Balances
Each Branch, though separate, yet also tied together
They each contain powers to check the other branches powers
Ex.
Congress can pass laws and president can veto the law
Makes Compromises vital

8. Basic Principles (Con’t)
Judicial Review
The Power of courts to decide whether the government is in accordance with the law
Determine if governments actions are unconstitutional
To declare illegal, null and void
Federalism
The division of power among a central government and several regional governments (AKA States)

9. Section 2
Formal Amendments

10. Constitution A living and changing document
Change has come about in two ways
Formal Amendment
Changes or additions to language of Constitution
Informal

11. Formal Amendment Process
Changes in its written words
Two methods for proposal
Two methods for ratification
Four methods of Formal Amendments
First Method
May be proposed by 2/3 vote in each House of Congress and ratified by ¾ State Legislatures (38)
26 of 27 Amendments adopted in this manner

12. Formal Amendment Process (Con’t)
Second Method
Proposed by Congress and ratified by conventions held for by ¾ of the States
21st Amendment ratified through this method
Third Method
Amendment proposed by a national convention, called by Congress, ratified by ¾ State Legislatures
Never Done Before

13. Formal Amendment Process (Con’t)
Fourth Method
Proposed by a national convention and ratified by ¾ of conventions in states
Federalism
Amendments proposed at national level
Ratification at state level

15. Proposed Amendments 10,000 Proposed Only 27 Amendments exist today
Bill of Rights -1791
First 10 Amendments
First Action by the Congress in 1791
A Major Compromise with Anti-Federalist
Later Amendments
Check Page 76 for Subject of Amendments

17. Section 3
Constitutional Change by Other Means

18. Basic Legislation
Congress has given meaning to many of the constitution brief statements
Judiciary Act of 1789
Homeland Security
Etc.

19. Executive Action Also given meaning to Constitution Example
Use of troops without congressional declaration of war
Executive Agreements
Pacts between heads of state that don’t require approval from Senate
Treaty
Requires approval from Senate

20. Court Decisions Marbury v. Madison 1803
Claimed for Supreme Court the power to declare a law unconstitutional
Chief Justice John Marshall helped define the role and power of the Supreme Court

21. Party Practice Constitution does not mention political parties
Big use of electoral college
Group that makes formal selection of the nation’s president

22. Customs Powers and/or organizations not granted by constitution
Creation of the cabinet
Succession of President to Vice President
Amended later
No Third Term until FDR
Started by George Washington
Required now by 22nd Amendment in 1951