1. Structure of the Constitution
Chapter 5
Lesson 3

2. Parts of the Constitution
Main purpose is provide a plan for government.
Highest authority in the nation.
Contains 3 parts
Preamble
Articles
Amendments

3. Parts of the Constitution
Preamble
Purpose and goal of government.
Power of government comes from the people.
States 6 purposes of government.

4. Parts of the Constitution
Preamble
Video
(10 MIN)
Single nation
All citizens treated equally
Provide peace and order
Ready military to protect nation.
People live happy, healthy lives.
Guarantee the basic rights of all Americans.

5. Parts of the Constitution
Articles
How government is set up.
State the powers and responsibility of each branch.
Article I: Legislative Branch
Two houses
Law making abilities

6. Parts of the Constitution
Article II: Executive Branch - President/Vice President
How they are elected
Powers
Article III: Judicial Branch – Supreme Court
Interprets laws
Makes sure laws fairly applies

7. Parts of the Constitution
Article IV: Relationship between the states and national government. (Federalism)
Article V: How constitution can be amended (changed).
Article VI: Constitution is supreme law of the land.
Article VII: How the Constitution was ratified (approved).

8. Helpful Mnemonic
A mnemonic is a made up acronym used to assist memory.
Lazy (Legislative Branch)
Elephants (Executive Branch)
Jump (Judicial Branch)
Slowly (State/Federalism)
And (Amendment Process)
Sleep (Supremacy Clause)
Regularly (Ratification)

9. Principles of the Constitution
Chapter 5
Lesson 4

10. Principles of the Constitution
5 Basic Principles
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government & Rule of Law
Separation of Powers
Checks & Balances
Federalism

11. Principles of the Constitution
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government & Rule of Law
Power lies with the people.
Popular – The people or public.
Sovereignty – The right to rule.
Limited Gov. – Const. limits both federal & state power.
Rule of Law – Laws apply to EVERYONE, including those that govern.

12. Principles of the Constitution
Separation of Powers
Checks & Balances
3 branches of government – each with separate powers.
Each branch can check (limit) other 2 branch’s power.
No one branch becomes too powerful.

13. Federalism – 3 Types of Powers
Enumerated Powers
Reserved Powers
Concurrent Powers
Powers given to national gov.
Enumerated – Listed or Spelled Out
Powers reserved (set aside) for state governments.
Powers shared by both national & state governments.

14. Federalism Supremacy Clause
Article VI (Article 6) states the Constitution “shall be the Supreme law of the Land.”
Neither national gov. or state gov. can make any law going against the Constitution.