Chapter Three

A Tradition of Democracy The U.S. Constitution

~~~~~Ideals of the Constitution

Government Power

The Declaration of Independence states that

governments should receive their powers from

“the consent of the governed”.

[approval of the people]

Citizens give governments permission to govern them through the voting process

Of the People, By the People, For the PeopleMayflower Compact

November 21, 1620

English Pilgrims on the ship Mayflower reach the shores of North America seeking religious freedom

sailed far off course and had no charter from the king of England to settle in New England or to form a government

male members wrote the agreement to create a new government based on the cooperation and consent of the people

Principles of the Constitution

Government Power from the PeoplePopular Sovereignty =

Government by consent of the governed

Preamble = introduction to the Constitution, which

describes its purposes

expresses ideal of popular sovereignty - "We the people"

Limitations on Government PowersLimited Government = A system in which government powers are carefully spelled out to prevent government from becoming too powerful.

Constitution and Bill of Rights• sets limits on governmental power• government powers have specific restrictions• powers not belonging to the federal government are

reserved for state governments or the people• certain powers are forbidden to both the federal

government and the states

Making Decisions for All

Majority Rule = A system in which the decision of more than half the people is accepted by all.

with Minority Rights• minority rights are protected and respected• minority opinions are freely expressed

Protecting Liberties

Powers of the People• individual rights are protected

Bill of Rights 1791• list many freedoms that belong to every

citizen of the United States

New System of Government

Federal System

Federalism = A system of government in which the powers of government are divided between the national government, which governs the whole country, and the state governments, which govern the people of each state.

National government in Washington D.C.• focuses on matters of national concern

50 independent state governments• sovereign political units within the United States• each has a capital, constitution, and officials • authority over the people who live within that state

Federal and State Governments

Delegated Powers

Reserved Powers

Concurrent Powers

Powers given to the federal

government by the Constitution

Powers set aside by the

Constitution for the states or for

the people

Powers shared by the federal

government and the states

• coin money• control foreign

and domestic trade • defense

• conduct elections• regulate trade within the states• establish local governments

• taxation• borrow money• establish courts• charter banks• enforce laws

• punish lawbreakers• health and welfare

Levels of Authority

Supremacy Clause• Whenever a state law

disagrees with the Constitution or with a federal law, the state must give way to the federal government

• Constitution and federal laws shall be “the supreme law of the land”