Download The Constitution

O Summarize the major arguments of
BOTH the Federalists and the AntiFederalists.
O Include the names of at least 3 leaders
of each group, and 3 arguments used
to support each side.
O Determine which argument you find
MOST convincing and explain why you
feel this way.
The Constitution
Chapter Three
The Six Basic Principles
Section One
The Constitution:
Section
Preamble
Subject
States the purpose of the Constitution
Article I
Legislative branch
Article II
Executive branch
Article III
Judicial branch
Article IV
Relations among the States and with the National
Government
Amending the Constitution
Article V
Article VI
Article VII
National debts, supremacy of national law, and oaths of
office
Ratifying the Constitution
Six Principles Found in the U.S. Constitution:
Popular sovereignty is the idea that the people
are the source of all power held by the
government.
Limited government means that the
government possesses only the powers the people
give it—it must obey the Constitution
(constitutionalism)
Separation of powers establishes three separate
parts, or branches, that share the government's
power.
 The Constitution uses a system of
checks and balances to ensure that
none of the three branches can become
too powerful.
 Judicial review is the power of the
courts to decide what the Constitution
means.
 Lastly, the Framers used the principle of
federalism to divide power between the
central government and the States.
 With your group, read about your assigned




constitutional principle.
Discuss ways to illustrate that concept that
would explain the meaning.
On your paper, draw a picture to represent your
constitutional principle.
You will be graded on the overall CREATIVITY and
QUALITY of your work, as well as how it RELATES
to your topic.
Be ready to share with the class!
Formal Amendment
Section
Two
O The Constitution has lasted more than
225 years because it has changed with
the times.
O Changes to the Constitution have
come through either formal or
informal amendments.
O A formal amendment is a change to
the Constitution's written words.
The Framers created four ways to make
such changes.
O Formal amendments are proposed at a national
level and then ratified at the State level.
O The first ten amendments are known as the Bill
of Rights.
O Congress proposed all of them in 1789 because
many people refused to support the Constitution
unless the Federal Government protected these
basic rights.
O The States approved these ten amendments in 1791.
The other 17 amendments became part of the
Constitution one at a time.
In all, the Constitution has been
formally amended a total of 27 times.
Constitutional Change by
Other Means
Section Three
 Many informal changes to the Constitution have been made
since 1787.
 Informal changes do not alter the Constitution's actual
words.
Types of Informal Changes to Constitution:
1. Basic Legislation: Congress passing laws.
Ex: Voting Rights Act 1965
2. Executive Action: use of presidential power
Ex: executive pact rather than a treaty
3. Court Decisions: SC ruling on cases.
Ex: Roe v. Wade, 1973
4. Party Practices: actions of Political parties
Ex: National conventions to nominate candidates
5. Customs: the usual ways people do things.
Ex: Presidents before FDR served only 2 terms
O Many customs have developed in American
government that are not mentioned in the
Constitution.
O For example, the President's Cabinet, or
advisory body, is customarily made up of the
heads of executive departments and other
officers.
O Senatorial courtesy is a custom in which
the Senate will not approve most
presidential appointments that are
opposed by a senator from the President's
party.
Identify the Informal Method
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Although the Constitution states only that candidates for
the Senate must be residents of the State from which they
are elected, only candidates who have been residents for
two years are allowed to run.
Citing Thomas Jefferson and the Louisiana Purchase, the
President declares Puerto Rico the 51st state.
Congress passes a law setting up special federal courts to
handle cyber crimes.
After a long legal battle, the Supreme Court declares that
laws restricting carbon emissions should be left to the
states, restricting Congress’ power to make environmental
laws at the federal level.
A Democratic convention is held to help identify possible
appointees to the Supreme Court.
With your partner…
O Come up a historical example of each of
the five informal methods of
Constitutional change.
O Give specifics: dates, people involved,
circumstances, etc.
O Explain how it changed the Constitution.