Transcript Slide 1

The U.S.
Constitution
1
Overview
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•
•
•
Origins of the Constitution
Constitutional Principles and Provisions
Ways to Amend the U.S. Constitution
Elements of the Constitution and its
amendments
2
Origins of the Constitution
• Philosophical Ideas
– John Locke
– Declaration of Independence
– Articles of Confederation
– Shay’s Rebellion
– The Great Compromise
– The Federalists Papers
– Ratification debate
3
Constitutional Principles
and Provisions
• Federalism
• Enumerated Powers
• Separation of Powers/Checks
and Balances
4
Ways to Amend the
U.S. Constitution
• The Proposal Process
– By the Congress with a twothirds majority vote in both the
House of Representatives and the
Senate
– By a constitutional convention
called for by two-thirds of the
State legislatures.
• None of the 27 amendments to the
Constitution have been proposed by
constitutional convention.
5
Ways to Amend the
U.S. Constitution
• The Ratification process
– A proposed amendment becomes
must be ratified by three-fourths of
the States (38 of 50 States).
– May also be ratified by a special
conventions called by
three-fourths of the States.
• 21st Amendment is the only one
adopted in this manner.
– However, Congress has the
power to decide which method
of ratification will be used
6
Elements of the
U.S. Constitution
• Preamble
• Articles
• First 10 Amendments to the Constitution—
The Bill of Rights
• Other Amendments
7
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
8
Articles I-IV
• Articles I-III: Divides Gov’t. into Three
Branches
– Legislative
– Executive
– Judicial
• Articles IV: States Rights
– Powers
– Limitations
9
Articles V-VII
• Articles V: Amending the U.S.
Constitution
– Proposing an amendment
– The ratification process
• Articles VI: Federal
Powers
• Article VII: Ratification of the
U.S. Constitution
10
Bill of Rights
• First ten amendments to the Constitution
11
Other Amendments
12
Summary
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Origins of the Constitution
Constitutional Principles and Provisions
Ways to Amend the U.S. Constitution
Elements of the Constitution and its
amendments
13
QUESTIONS?
14