The document outlines the key principles and framework of the US Constitution. It discusses the 7 articles that establish the three branches of government and their powers. It also explains the principles of popular sovereignty, separation of powers, limited government, federalism, and rule of law that are central to the Constitution. The Constitution establishes a system of federalism that shares powers between the national and state governments.
2. I. The Constitution as a Framework for
Government
• A. The Preamble—introduction to the Constitution
that identifies certain ideas that the government
should stand for; states purpose of the document
3. I. The Constitution as a Framework for
Government
• B. The Articles—Seven Sections that follow
the Preamble
– 1. Article One —structure, power, responsibilities
of Legislative Branch, the qualifications for
members, elections and terms of office
• a. Structure of Congress—bicameral legislature
(House and Senate)
4. I. The Constitution as a Framework for
Government
• b. Powers of Congress—Enumerated (Expressed: named
specifically in the Constitution)
– i. Passes laws
– ii. Regulates interstate commerce and international trade
– iii. Declares war
– iv. Coins money
– v. Raise and support the army
– vi. Establish a postal system
– vii. Assists the President in foreign affairs
– viii. Approves the President’s appointments to high office
5. I. The Constitution as a Framework for
Government
• c. Powers of Congress— Implied powers —provided by
the “necessary and proper clause”
– Also referred to as the “elastic clause”
• d. impeachment- one of Congress’s powers is the
power to impeach- to accuse a government official of
wrongdoing, put them on trial, and if necessary remove
them from office
6. I. The Constitution as a Framework for
Government
– 2. Article Two—structure, power, responsibilities of the
Executive Branch
• a. Outlines the Electoral College
• b. Details the powers of the President
– i. Commander of the armed forces
– ii. Makes treaties
– iii. Appoints certain government officials
– iv. Issues pardon
– V. Veto laws
7. I. The Constitution as a Framework for
Government
– 3. Article Three—structure, powers,
responsibilities of the Judicial Branch (Supreme
Court and Federal Court System)—Prevents the
other branches from violating the Constitution
• a. lists the powers of the Supreme Court and describes
the kinds of cases they may hear
8. I. The Constitution as a Framework for
Government
– 4. Article Four—explains the relationship between the
states and national government
• a. Article IV says that all states must respect each
other’s laws, court decisions, and records
– Full Faith and Credit Clause
• b. It also explains the process of creating new states
and it promises that the federal government will
protect and defend the states
9. I. The Constitution as a Framework for
Government
5. Article Five—explains the process for amending the
Constitution
• Amending the Constitution
– 1. Step #1—Proposing Amendments
» a. Method #1—2/3 of the members of both houses vote to
propose an amendment
» b. Method #2—national convention requested by 2/3 of the state
legislatures vote to propose an amendment
– 2. Step #2—Ratification
» a. Method #1—3/4 of the state legislatures vote to approve
» b. Method #2—3/4 of a vote in state conventions vote to approve
10. I. The Constitution as a Framework for
Government
– 6. Article Six—discusses general provisions about
the government
• Supremacy clause – the Constitution and federal
laws are supreme laws when in conflict with the
states
– 7. Article Seven—states that the Constitution will
go into effect once nine states have ratified it.
11. II. Principles of the Constitution
• A. Popular Sovereignty —the people have the
right to govern themselves
– voting and free elections
12. II. Principles of the Constitution
• B. Separation of Powers —breaking
government into separate each branch
different powers and responsibilities
– 1. Montesquieu
– 2. Purpose is to help prevent abuses of power
– 3. 3 branches of government
– i. Legislative Branch (Congress)
– ii. Executive Branch (President)
– iii. Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)
14. II. Principles of the Constitution
• C. Limited Government —government’s
power will have certain limits in order to
preserve individual rights
– the Bill of Rights- first 10 Amendments that
protect individual liberties
15. II. Principles of the Constitution
• D. Federalism —system in which the national (federal)
government and state governments share power
– 1. Enumerated (Delegated Powers) —powers given to the
Federal Government
– 2. Reserved Powers —powers granted to the states
– 3. Concurrent Powers —powers shared by the states and the
federal government
– 4. “Supremacy Clause”
16. II. Principles of the Constitution
• E. Rule of Law
– 1. The law applies to everyone, even those who
govern.
– “You must first enable the government to control
the governed, and in the next place oblige it to
control itself.” –James Madison