The US Constitution: The Preamble & Separation of Powers
Mrs. Foster & Ms. Diggs
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Review What led the colonists to writing the Constitution? 1775
1776 1777 The Revolutionary War between the Colonies and Britain
begins. Declaration of Independence written; the 13 colonies become
the 13 states, but are not yet united under one central government.
The Articles of Confederation are written but not yet ratified
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Review What led the colonists to writing the Constitution? 1787
The Constitutional Convention begins on May 25, in Philadelphia.
Fifty-five representatives attend and begin drafting the
Constitution. On September 17, 1787, the convention comes to a
close as the representatives sign the Constitution. 1788 The
Constitution becomes the law of the land after New Hampshire
becomes the ninth and last state required to approve it. 1781 1786
The last battle of the Revolutionary War takes place; the 13 states
set up a federal government under laws called the Articles of
Confederation. Representatives from five states meet at Annapolis,
Maryland, to discuss interstate trade. Because so few
representatives attend, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison call
for another convention to be held in Philadelphia.
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Review What led the colonists to writing the Constitution? May
25, 1787 Sept. 17,1787 1788 The Constitutional Convention begins on
May 25, in Philadelphia. Fifty-five representatives attend and
begin drafting the Constitution. On September 17, 1787, the
convention comes to a close as the representatives sign the
Constitution.
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Structure of the Constitution Part 1: The Preamble The Preamble
Part 2: Articles 7 articles Legislative Branch Executive Judicial
Relations between States Amendment Process Debts; Supremacy Clause
Ratification Part 3: Amendments Formal Changes to the
Constitution
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Why a Constitution? What did the Declaration of Independence
do/say? All men are created equal and are endowed by their creator
with certain unalienable rights, which among these are Life,
Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness The Declaration of
Independence says WHAT the Founding Fathers wanted. The
Constitution says HOW they were going to set up a government that
does/protects all of those things.
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Fun Facts About the Constitution That might sound like a lot
but that makes it shorter than the sports section in most
newspapers! Making it the oldest written constitution still in use
anywhere in the world!
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Whats the Preamble? The Preamble is a single, long sentence
that define the broad purposes of the republican government created
by the Constitution It states in general terms and the Founding
Fathers intentions regarding the Constitution's meaning and what
they hoped the Constitution would achieve.
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The Preamble of the US Constitution We the people of the United
States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice,
insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense,
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.
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The Preamble Break Down We the People o Wording that shows that
the power and authority in our system of govt comes from the people
NOT the states. (The opposite of the Articles of Confederation when
the states had all the power)
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The Preamble Break Down Meaning: The framers of the
Constitution wanted to ensure cooperation among the states AND
between the national government. The two need to share power,
making us a federal system of government.
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The Preamble Break Down Meaning: The framers hoped to create a
system of government based on fair laws that apply equally to all
people.
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The Preamble Break Down Meaning: the framers wanted government
to ensure peace and order
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The Preamble Break Down Meaning: The framers wanted the
government to protect the nation against foreign enemies.
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The Preamble Break Down Meaning: The framers hoped the govt
would ensure the well- being of the citizens
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The Preamble Break Down Meaning: The framers hoped to guarantee
freedom for Americans, then and in the future too!
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The Preamble Break Down do ordain and establish this
Constitution for the United States of America. Meaning: Thats why
were writing all this stuff down so read it and pay attention,
world!
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The Preamble We the people of the United States, in order to
form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic
tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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.
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What do you think? Why is the preamble so important to the
framers of the Constitution AND to us as citizens of the United
States of America? Take 5 minutes to write the question and answer
this question in your spiral
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Structure of the Constitution Part 1: The Preamble The Preamble
Part 2: Articles 7 articles Legislative Branch Executive Judicial
Relations between States Amendment Process Debts; Supremacy Clause
Ratification Part 3: Amendments Formal Changes to the
Constitution
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Guiding Question How does the Constitution limit the power of
government through separation of powers and checks and
balances?
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Terms Checks and balances : a system allowing a branch of a
government to amend or veto acts of another branch to prevent any
branch from becoming too powerful. Separation of powers :
separating the duties of government bodies (i.e., executive,
legislative, & judicial.)
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Part Two: The Articles The main body of the Constitution
consists of SEVEN articles o Article 1: Legislative Branch o
Article 2: Executive Branch o Article 3: Judicial Branch o Article
4: Relations between States o Article 5: Amendment Process o
Article 6: Debts; Supremacy Clause o Article 7: Ratification
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State vs. Federal Govts The Constitution limits the powers of
the government by giving them individual responsibilities. The
responsibilities are either: State Federal Or Both!
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Federalism Because we have a federal system of government, our
federal (national) govt and state govt share responsibilities State
Federal Govts Share Responsibilities!
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State vs. Federal Govts The Constitution limits the powers of
the government by giving them individual responsibilities. The
responsibilities are either: Reserved Delegated Concurrent
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Limiting Powers The Constitution limits the powers of the
government by giving them individual responsibilities. State Govt
Federal Govt Concurrent Issues Licenses (Drivers, Marriage, etc.)
Conduct Elections Take measures for public health & Safety
Makes Treaties Declares War Print Money Collect taxes Build roads
Establish courts
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Articles I, II, & III of the Constitution.
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Review Terms: Checks and balances : a system allowing a branch
of a government to amend or veto acts of another branch to prevent
any branch from becoming too powerful. Separation of powers :
separating the duties of government bodies (i.e., executive,
legislative, & judicial.) Delegated Powers : powers granted to
the national (federal) govt, instead of the state govt, under the
Constitution Reserved Powers : powers kept by the states Concurrent
Powers: powers shared by both the federal state govts under the
Constitution
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The Articles Article 1: Legislative Branch; Makes Laws Article
2: Executive Branch; Enforces Laws Article 3: Judicial Branch;
Interprets Law
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The Articles Legislative Branch; Congress Executive Branch;
President and Cabinet Judicial Branch; The Supreme Court
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Executive Branch: Enforces the laws. Legislative Branch: Makes
the laws. Judicial Branch: Interprets the laws. Decides whether a
law violates your Constitutional rights. Congress writes a law, and
the President will get to pass it or stop it (veto) from becoming a
law. The President can pass a law, but the Supreme Court can decide
if that law violates the Constitution or our rights, and have it
repealed.
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Guiding Question What is the structure and function of the
three branches of government according to Articles I, II, and
III?
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Article I o Article I of the Constitution lays out the
foundations of Congress. o It divides Congress among the House of
Representatives and the Senate. o It also stipulates qualifications
for Representatives and Senators, as well as, stipulates their
duties and responsibilities.
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House of Representatives Composition & Election of House of
Representatives o Voted for by the people every other year.
Qualification of Members o Must be at least 25 years old o Live in
the state they represent o U.S. citizen for at least 7 years
Apportionment of Representatives o Based on population o 435 seats
total in the House o One representative per 700,000 people in a
state
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House of Representatives House Only: o Power of impeachment. o
Bills start here involving taxes. Shared with the Senate: o Have
the power to change laws in order to protect voters. o Determine
naturalization laws. o Coin money. o Create the postal service. o
Declare war.
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The Senate Composition o Two senators per state o Elected every
six years Qualifications o At least 30 years old o Must reside in
the state he/she represents o U.S. citizen for nine years President
of the Senate o The VP of the USA is the President of the senate,
but has no vote unless there is a tie.
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The Senate Senate Only: o Impeachment Trial o Deciding whether
or not to remove from office. Shared with the House: o Have the
power to change laws in order to protect voters. o Determine
naturalization laws. o Coin money. o Create the postal service. o
Declare war.
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Article II Discusses the powers, qualifications, and
responsibilities of the Executive Branch.
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Executive Branch Voting o Voted for every four years and can
only serve two terms. Qualifications o Natural born citizen o 35
years of age or older o Lives in the U.S. for at least 14 years
Powers & Functions o Power to appoint people to positions. o
Grant pardons. o Make treaties.
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Article III Discusses the qualifications, powers, and functions
of the Judicial Branch. The Judicial Branch is made up of the
Supreme Court.
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The Supreme Court Qualifications o Good Behavior Appointment o
By the President Powers & Functions o Decide arguments over how
to interpret the Constitution, all laws passed by Congress,
arguments involving states, and in agreements with other
nations.
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