The document outlines the key principles and structure of the US Constitution. It discusses the 6 goals laid out in the Preamble, the 3 branches of government established in the first 3 Articles, and some of the core principles like popular sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism that form the basis of the US system of government.

1. Unit 2
The Constitution

2. The Constitution: The
Preamble
The Preamble is the introduction that lists
the six main goals:
1. “to form a more perfect union”
2. “establish justice”
3. “insure domestic tranquility”
4. “provide for the common defense”
5. “promote the general welfare”
6. “secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves
and our prosperity”

3. A few things explained…
• “to form a more perfect union” means to unite our
nation as a country.
• “insure domestic tranquility” means to maintain law
and order within our country.
• “provide for the common defense” means to provide
an army to defend our country

4. The Constitution: The 7
Articles
There are seven articles in the constitution:
I: legislative branch
II: executive branch
III: judicial branch
IV: explains relationship between state and federal
government
V: explains process of amending our constitution
VI: recognizes constitution and federal laws with the
Supremacy Clause
VII: ratification of the constitution

5. A few things explained…
• The legislative branch refers to the Congress
(House of Representatives and Senate)
• The executive branch refers to the White House, or
the President of the United States
• The judicial branch refers to the Supreme Court
• To “amend the constitution” means to change it
• The Supremacy Clause states that the constitution
is the supreme law of the land and overrides other
law

6. Principles of the
Constitution
Popular Sovereignty:
• The government must serve the will of the people.
• The people are the source of government power.
Limited government:
• The government can only do things the people give it
power to do.
• Government must be conducted according to the
constitutional principles.
• Officers of the government are not above the law.

7. Principles of the
Constitution
Seperation of powers:
• Legislative power-makes laws (Congress)
• Executive power-enforces laws (President, his cabinet, and
executive agencies)
• Judicial power- interprets laws (Supreme Court and federal
courts)
 It was set up like this so one group would not have all the
power
Checks and Balances:
• Each branch has “checks” (restraints) on other branches
• Each branch has links to others, forcing them to work together

8. Principles of the
Constitution
Judicial review:
• It is the power of a court to determine constitutionality of
government action
• It was established in the supreme court case “Marbury
vs. Madison” in 1803
Federalism:
• Federal government has enumerated and implied
powers
• States have reserved powers
• Federal government and states both have concurrent
powers