The Principles of the United States Constitution
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Transcript The Principles of the United States Constitution
The Principles of the
United States Constitution
PO 1. Describe how the following
philosophies and documents influenced the
creation of the Constitution:
Magna Carta
English Bill of Rights
Montesquieu’s separation of power
John Locke’s theories – natural law, social
contract
Mayflower Compact
Declaration of Independence
Articles of Confederation –
Concept 2: Structure of Government
PO 1. Describe the following principles on
which the Constitution (as the Supreme
Law of the Land) was founded:
federalism (i.e., enumerated, reserved, and
concurrent powers)
popular sovereignty
Separation of Powers
checks and balances
limited government
flexibility (i.e., Elastic Clause, amendment
process)
PO 2. Differentiate the roles and powers of
the three branches of the federal
government.
Early Influences
Magna Carta – 1215, the English King is
given limited power. He could not raise
taxes without approval of the Great Council
and he had to obey the law.
English Bill of Rights – Sets out the rights
of citizens and certain constitutional
requirements where the actions of the
Crown require the consent of the governed
as represented in Parliament.
Basis for our Government
Montesquieu’s separation of powers -
legislative, the executive, and the judiciary.
These should be separate from and
dependent upon each other so that the
influence of any one power would not be
able to exceed that of the other two, either
singly or in combination.
John Locke’s theories - advocated
governmental checks and balances and
believed that revolution is not only a right
but an obligation in some circumstances.
Development in America
Mayflower Compact – Pilgrims agree to
consult each other about laws and to work
together for success of the colony
Declaration of Independence – Created a
new nation, separate from England
Articles of Confederation – Created a weak
national government because states had
final authority
Shay’s Rebellion – Showed the flaws in the
Articles of Confederation
I. Popular Sovereignty
The people hold the ultimate authority
A representative democracy lets the people
elect leaders to make decisions for them.
John McCain and Jon Kyl are our elected
officials in the Senate. We have 8
representatives in the House!
II. Limited Government
Framers wanted to guard against tyranny
Government is limited to the power given
them in the Constitution.
The Constitution tells how leaders who
overstep their power can be removed
III. Federalism
The division of power between State and
National Governments
Some powers are shared
The National Government has the “supreme
power”
Powers of the Government
Enumerated - a list of specific
responsibilities which state the authority
granted to the United States Congress.
Reserved – 10th Amendment limits the
authority of government to the powers
stated in the Constitution. All other power is
reserved for the states and the people.
Concurrent – Shared powers (collect taxes,
borrow money, maintain courts, make laws,
provide for the welfare of the people)
IV. Separation of Powers
No one holds “too much” power
Legislative branch makes the laws
Executive branch carries out the laws
Judicial branch interprets the laws
Legislative Branch
Senate and House of Representatives
Make our laws
Regulate Immigration
Establish Post Offices and Roads
Powers of the Legislative Branch
Coining money.
Maintaining a military.
Declaring war on other countries.
Regulating interstate and foreign commerce
Executive Branch
The President of the United States
Chief Executive
Chief of State
Chief Legislator
Commander in Chief
Powers of the Executive Branch
Power to manage national affairs and the
workings of the federal government
Commander-in-chief of the armed forces
Can veto any bill passed by Congress and,
unless two-thirds of the members of each
house vote to override the veto, the bill does
not become law.
Nominates federal judges, including
members of the Supreme Court
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court and other Federal Courts
Preserve and protect the rights guaranteed
by the Constitution
Considers cases involving national laws
Declares laws and acts “unconstitutional”
Powers of the Judicial Branch
The power given to courts to interpret the
law is called jurisdiction.
The jurisdiction granted to the judicial
branch is limited to federal and
constitutional laws.
The Supreme Court decides arguments
about the meaning of laws, how they are
applied, and whether they break the rules of
the Constitution. A court's authority to
decide constitutionality is called judicial
review.
V. Checks and Balances
Prevents the abuse of power in government
Each branch can check each other branch
Executive Checks
Propose laws to Congress
Veto laws made by Congress
Negotiate foreign treaties
Appoint federal judges
Grant pardons to federal offenders
Legislative Checks
Override president’s veto
Ratify treaties
Confirm executive appointments
Impeach federal officers and judges
Create and dissolve lower federal courts
Judicial Checks
Declare executive acts unconstitutional
Declare laws unconstitutional
Declare acts of Congress unconstitutional
The Supreme Court holds the final check
A Living Document
Flexibility
Elastic Clause - a statement in the U.S.
Constitution granting Congress the power to
pass all laws necessary and proper for
carrying out the enumerated list of powers
(Article I, Section 8 ).
Amendments (additions or changes) - The
Constitution of the United States may be
amended when two thirds of each house of
Congress approves a proposed amendment
and three fourths of the states thereafter
ratify it.