1. U.S. Constitution SSCG 3 SSCG 4

2. The founding fathers believed in the separation of powers in government (like Montesquieu). The founding fathers believed in the separation of powers in government (like Montesquieu). They believed in the social contract between the government and people (like Hobbes and Locke). They believed in the social contract between the government and people (like Hobbes and Locke). The Constitution began a republic and provides citizens with information about their rights and expectation of their government. The Constitution began a republic and provides citizens with information about their rights and expectation of their government.

3. The Constitution gives the structure and powers of government but does not spell out every aspect of government. The Constitution gives the structure and powers of government but does not spell out every aspect of government. It is broken into three parts: the Preamble, the articles, and the amendments. It is broken into three parts: the Preamble, the articles, and the amendments.

4. The Preamble, or introduction, states why the Constitution was written. The Preamble, or introduction, states why the Constitution was written. The founders indicated they wanted a government that gave stability, order, protect citizens liberties, and serve the people. The founders indicated they wanted a government that gave stability, order, protect citizens liberties, and serve the people.

5. There are 7 articles, divisions, with each covering a general topic. There are 7 articles, divisions, with each covering a general topic. Articles I, II, and III set up the branches of government Articles I, II, and III set up the branches of government

6. Article IV sets up the relationships of the states to one another and to the national government. Article IV sets up the relationships of the states to one another and to the national government.

7. Article V spells out the ways that the Constitution can be amended, or changed. Article V spells out the ways that the Constitution can be amended, or changed.

8. Article VI contains the supremacy clause, establishing that the Constitution, laws passed by Congress, and treaties of the U.S. are the supreme law of the land. Article VI contains the supremacy clause, establishing that the Constitution, laws passed by Congress, and treaties of the U.S. are the supreme law of the land.

9. Article VII addresses ratification and declares the Constitution would take effect when ratified by 9 states. (New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution.) Article VII addresses ratification and declares the Constitution would take effect when ratified by 9 states. (New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution.)

10. The third part of the Constitution are the amendments, or changes. The third part of the Constitution are the amendments, or changes. There are 27 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. There are 27 amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

11. There are 6 major principles of government in the Constitution: popular sovereignty, federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, judicial review, and limited government. There are 6 major principles of government in the Constitution: popular sovereignty, federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, judicial review, and limited government.

12. Popular sovereignty is rule by the people. Popular sovereignty is rule by the people. It is what the Constitution is based on. It is what the Constitution is based on.

13. Under federalism the power is divided between the national and state governments. Under federalism the power is divided between the national and state governments. Both have their own agencies and officials, and pass their own laws that influence their citizens. Both have their own agencies and officials, and pass their own laws that influence their citizens.

14. The Constitution limits the power of the central government by dividing power among the 3 branches. The Constitution limits the power of the central government by dividing power among the 3 branches. Each branch has its own responsibilities – separation of powers. Each branch has its own responsibilities – separation of powers.

15. The system of checks and balances was added to the separation of powers. The system of checks and balances was added to the separation of powers. Each branch exercises some control over the other branches. Each branch exercises some control over the other branches.

16. Judicial review is the power of the courts to declare laws and actions of local, state, or national governments invalid if they violate the Constitution. Judicial review is the power of the courts to declare laws and actions of local, state, or national governments invalid if they violate the Constitution. The Supreme Court is the final authority on the meaning and the interpretation of the Constitution The Supreme Court is the final authority on the meaning and the interpretation of the Constitution

17. Marbury v. Madison established the precedent for federal courts to rule on the actions of the government. Marbury v. Madison established the precedent for federal courts to rule on the actions of the government. Judicial review is important. Judicial review is important. The court decision on the meaning of the Constitution can be changed only if the court itself changes its view or an amendment is added to the Constitution. The court decision on the meaning of the Constitution can be changed only if the court itself changes its view or an amendment is added to the Constitution.

18. Limited government means the Constitution limits the actions of government by listing powers the government has or does not have. Limited government means the Constitution limits the actions of government by listing powers the government has or does not have. The Constitution safeguards against the abuse of power. The Constitution safeguards against the abuse of power.

20. Article I of the Constitution created a bicameral legislature for the U.S. Article I of the Constitution created a bicameral legislature for the U.S. The House of Representatives was to be the voice of the people and chosen by the people. The House of Representatives was to be the voice of the people and chosen by the people. The Senate represented the wider interests of whole states and originally chosen by state legislatures. The Senate represented the wider interests of whole states and originally chosen by state legislatures.

21. Congress has expressed powers, those powers directly stated in the Constitution. Congress has expressed powers, those powers directly stated in the Constitution. Most of the expressed powers are in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution. Most of the expressed powers are in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.

22. Expressed powers are also called enumerated powers because they are numbered 1 – 18. Expressed powers are also called enumerated powers because they are numbered 1 – 18. Five deal with economic issues: coining money, regulate trade, borrow money, levy taxes, and punish counterfeiting. Five deal with economic issues: coining money, regulate trade, borrow money, levy taxes, and punish counterfeiting.

23. Seven of the enumerated powers deal with defense: punish piracy, declare war, raise and support armed forces, provide a navy, to regulate armed forces, to call a militia, and to organize a militia. Seven of the enumerated powers deal with defense: punish piracy, declare war, raise and support armed forces, provide a navy, to regulate armed forces, to call a militia, and to organize a militia.

24. Section 8 also provides for naturalizing citizens, starting Post Offices, securing patents and copyrights, establishing courts, and governing the District of Columbia. Section 8 also provides for naturalizing citizens, starting Post Offices, securing patents and copyrights, establishing courts, and governing the District of Columbia.

25. The final enumerated power is the elastic clause. The final enumerated power is the elastic clause. This gives Congress the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out the powers expressed in the other articles. This gives Congress the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out the powers expressed in the other articles.

26. The second article of the Constitution deals with the office of President. The second article of the Constitution deals with the office of President. It is in direct response to one of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. It is in direct response to one of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution gives the President broad but vaguely described powers: can fire people from the executive branch, make agreements with foreign powers, and take emergency actions to save the nation. The Constitution gives the President broad but vaguely described powers: can fire people from the executive branch, make agreements with foreign powers, and take emergency actions to save the nation.

27. Specific powers of the President: 1.) commander in chief of the armed forces; (2.) appoints heads of executive dept.; (3.) may pardon people of federal crimes or reduce a persons jail sentence or fine; (4.) makes treaties; (5.) appointments judges, ambassadors, and other officials; (6.) State of the Union address; (7.) calls Congress into special sessions; (8.) meets with heads of states; (9.) commissions military officers; and, (10.) ensures that laws passed by Congress are carried out. Specific powers of the President: 1.) commander in chief of the armed forces; (2.) appoints heads of executive dept.; (3.) may pardon people of federal crimes or reduce a persons jail sentence or fine; (4.) makes treaties; (5.) appointments judges, ambassadors, and other officials; (6.) State of the Union address; (7.) calls Congress into special sessions; (8.) meets with heads of states; (9.) commissions military officers; and, (10.) ensures that laws passed by Congress are carried out.

28. Federal bureaucracy are the departments and agencies of the federal government – mostly the executive branch. Federal bureaucracy are the departments and agencies of the federal government – mostly the executive branch. Modern Presidents oversee millions of staff members. Modern Presidents oversee millions of staff members.

29. Article III sets up the court system. Article III sets up the court system. There are 2 different systems of courts: federal and state. There are 2 different systems of courts: federal and state. Each has the power to hear only certain kinds of cases – jurisdiction of the courts. Each has the power to hear only certain kinds of cases – jurisdiction of the courts.

30. Jurisdiction is the authority of the court to rule on certain cases. Jurisdiction is the authority of the court to rule on certain cases. The 2 factors that apply in the federal court system are the subject matter of the case and who is involved. The 2 factors that apply in the federal court system are the subject matter of the case and who is involved. Federal courts deal with U.S. laws, treaties with foreign nations, or interpretations of the Constitution. Cases of admiralty, or maritime law, are under federal jurisdiction. Federal courts deal with U.S. laws, treaties with foreign nations, or interpretations of the Constitution. Cases of admiralty, or maritime law, are under federal jurisdiction.

31. How do you amend the Constitution? How do you amend the Constitution? Propose amendments: two- thirds approval of each house; or, national conventions called by Congress at the request of two-thirds of the states. Propose amendments: two- thirds approval of each house; or, national conventions called by Congress at the request of two-thirds of the states. Ratify amendments: three- fourths of state legislatures ratify; or, ratified by three- fourths of national conventions. Ratify amendments: three- fourths of state legislatures ratify; or, ratified by three- fourths of national conventions.

32. Informal amendments are those that are not formally proposed. Informal amendments are those that are not formally proposed. There are 3 ways: circumstances (practices) change, through the law, and custom and usuage. There are 3 ways: circumstances (practices) change, through the law, and custom and usuage.

33. The Federalist Papers are a series of 85 articles advocating the ratification of the United States Constitution. The Federalist Papers are a series of 85 articles advocating the ratification of the United States Constitution.85 articlesratificationUnited States Constitution85 articlesratificationUnited States Constitution The Federalist remains a primary source for interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. The Federalist remains a primary source for interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. The articles were written by: The articles were written by: Alexander Hamilton (51 articles: nos. 1, 6– 9, 11–13, 15–17, 21–36, 59–61, and 65–85) Alexander Hamilton (51 articles: nos. 1, 6– 9, 11–13, 15–17, 21–36, 59–61, and 65–85) Alexander Hamilton Alexander Hamilton James Madison (29 articles: nos. 10, 14, 37–58, and 62–63), and James Madison (29 articles: nos. 10, 14, 37–58, and 62–63), and James Madison James Madison John Jay (5 articles: 2–5 and 64). John Jay (5 articles: 2–5 and 64). John Jay John Jay Nos. 18–20 were the result of a collaboration between Madison and Hamilton.[1] Nos. 18–20 were the result of a collaboration between Madison and Hamilton.[1][1]

34. Federalist No. 10, in which Madison discusses the means of preventing faction and advocates an extended republic, is generally regarded as the most important of the 85 articles from a philosophical perspective; it is complemented by Federalist No. 14. Federalist No. 10, in which Madison discusses the means of preventing faction and advocates an extended republic, is generally regarded as the most important of the 85 articles from a philosophical perspective; it is complemented by Federalist No. 14. Federalist No. 10 Federalist No. 14 Federalist No. 10 Federalist No. 14 Federalist No. 84, Hamilton makes the case that there is no need to amend the Constitution by adding a Bill of Rights. Federalist No. 84, Hamilton makes the case that there is no need to amend the Constitution by adding a Bill of Rights. Federalist No. 84Bill of Rights Federalist No. 84Bill of Rights

35. 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 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. The Preamble to the United States Constitution is a brief introductory statement of the fundamental purposes and guiding principles which the Constitution is meant to serve. In general terms, it expresses the intentions of its authors. The Preamble to the United States Constitution is a brief introductory statement of the fundamental purposes and guiding principles which the Constitution is meant to serve. In general terms, it expresses the intentions of its authors.PreambleUnited States ConstitutionPreambleUnited States Constitution

36. The rule of law, also called supremacy of law, simply means that the law is above everyone and it applies to everyone. The rule of law, also called supremacy of law, simply means that the law is above everyone and it applies to everyone. No one is above the law, no one is exempted from the law, and no one can grant exemption to the application of the law. No one is above the law, no one is exempted from the law, and no one can grant exemption to the application of the law.

37. Popular sovereignty is the belief that the legitimacy of the state is created by the will or consent of its people, who are the source of all political power. Popular sovereignty is the belief that the legitimacy of the state is created by the will or consent of its people, who are the source of all political power.stateconsent of its peoplepolitical powerstateconsent of its peoplepolitical power

38. The separation of powers is a model for the governance of democratic states. The separation of powers is a model for the governance of democratic states.governance democraticgovernance democratic The state is divided into branches or estates, each with separate and independent powers and areas of responsibility. The normal division of estates is into an executive, a legislature, and a judiciary. The state is divided into branches or estates, each with separate and independent powers and areas of responsibility. The normal division of estates is into an executive, a legislature, and a judiciary.stateestates executivelegislaturejudiciarystateestates executivelegislaturejudiciary

39. The system of checks and balances is a part of our Constitution. The system of checks and balances is a part of our Constitution. It guarantees that no part of the government becomes too powerful. It guarantees that no part of the government becomes too powerful. For example, the legislative branch is in charge of making laws. The executive branch can veto the law, thus making it harder for the legislative branch to pass the law. The judicial branch may also say that the law is unconstitutional and thus make sure it is not a law. For example, the legislative branch is in charge of making laws. The executive branch can veto the law, thus making it harder for the legislative branch to pass the law. The judicial branch may also say that the law is unconstitutional and thus make sure it is not a law.

40. Federalism is political philosophy in which a group of members are bound together with a governing representative head. Federalism is political philosophy in which a group of members are bound together with a governing representative head.political philosophypolitical philosophy Federalism is a system in which the power to govern is shared between national and central (state) governments, creating what is often called a federation. Federalism is a system in which the power to govern is shared between national and central (state) governments, creating what is often called a federation.federation