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Unit 2: Basic Principles of the United States Constitution CHAPTER 3 5 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION Topic: Basic Principles of the U.S. Constitution Principles related to representative democracy are reflected in the articles and amendments of the U.S. Constitution and provide structure for the government of the United States. Content Statement: As the supreme law of the land, the U.S. Constitution incorporates basic principles that help define the government of the United States as a federal republic including its structure, powers and relationship with the governed. Content Statement: Constitutional government in the United States has changed over time as a result of amendments to the U.S. Constitution, Supreme Court decisions, legislation and informal practices. THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND FEDERALISM • Section 1: Basic Principles 2. Limited Government 1. Popular Sovereignty 3. Separation of Powers 5 Basic Principles of the Constitution 4. Checks and Balances 5. Federalism 5 Basic Principles of the Constitution 5 BASIC PRINCIPLES EXPLAINED • 1. Popular Sovereignty • Government’s authority comes from the people • 2. Limited Government • 3. Separation of Powers/Sharing • Article I: legislative branch • Article II: executive branch • Article III: judicial branch • *All branches have separate powers of Powers 4. CHECKS AND BALANCES Powers Legislative Branch 1. Makes laws 2. Can override presidential veto of bill with 2/3 vote 3. Approves appointments to top gov. jobs 4. Holds the “power of the purse” Executive Branch 1. Approves or vetoes laws 2. Carries out laws 3. appoints federal court judges, ambassadors, and other high-level officials 4. Negotiates treaties Judicial Branch Checks on Powers 1. President’s power to veto legislation passed by Congress 2. Supreme Court’s power to rule that laws are unconstitutional 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Congress’s ability to override the president’s veto by a 2/3 vote Congress’s power to approve spending by the federal gov Senate’s power to approve presidential appointments to top gov jobs Senate’s authroity to approve all treaties Congress’s power to impeach the president Interprets the meaning 1. Congress’s power to propose an amendment of laws to the Constitution if the Supreme Court rules 2. Judicial review that a law is unconstitutional 2. Senate’s authority to refuse to approve the appointments to federal court 3. Congress’s power to impeach a federal judge 1. 5. FEDERALISM •Power divided between national gov and state and local govs. THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND FEDERALISM • Section 2: Amending the Constitution CONSTITUTION HAS BEEN AROUND FOR OVER 200 YEARS. FRAMERS KNEW THEY NEEDED TO INCLUDE A WAY TO CHANGE IT AS TIMES CHANGE AMEND: TO CHANGE •Make minor changes in (a text) in order to make it fairer, more accurate, or more up-to-date. •Modify formally, as a legal document or legislative bill. RATIFY: •To pass 4 WAYS TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION Propose an amendment Ratifying an Amendment 1. 2/3 of both houses of Congress (all 27 proposed this way) A. Legislatures in ¾ of states (26 ratified this way) #1 #3 2. National Convention called by Congress at the request of 2/3 of state legislatures (never B. Special conventions in ¾ of the state (1 ratified this way—21st #2 amendment) #4 THE 27 AMENDMENTS • • • • • • Bill of Rights 1-10: Protect individual freedoms 13th, 14th, 15th: expand voting and other rights to groups 17th: direct election of Senators 19th: women’s suffrage 16th: national income tax 18th: Prohibition THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND FEDERALISM • Section 3: A Flexible Document THE CONSTITUTION IS A “LIVING DOCUMENT” BECAUSE IT IS FLEXIBLE AND CHANGES WITH THE TIMES! 1. Gov. actions • A. Court decisions • B. Congressional legislation • C. Executive actions • 2. Political actions • A. Important role in elections • B. Organize daily operations of Congress • 3. Custom and tradition • A. Strongly influence how gov. carries out its functions THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND FEDERALISM • Section 4: Federalism POWERS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT—3 TYPES 1. EXPRESSED POWERS—SPECIFICALLY STATED IN THE CONSTITUTION Legislative Branch (Article I, Section 8) Issuing money Collect national taxes Borrow money Executive Branch (Article II) Judicial Branch (Article III) Command armed forces Rule on cases involving the US gov, foreign officials in the US, and disputes among the states Direct relations with gov of other countries Decide cases concerning the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties Pay gov. debts Declaring war Raising and maintaining armed forces Regulate trade among the states and foreign govs 2. IMPLIED POWERS • Article I, Section 8— “Congress has the power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper to exercise its other powers” • Known as “ELASTIC CLAUSE” 3. INHERENT POWERS • Inherent powers—naturally belong to the gov. • In the United States, the President derives these powers from the looselyworded statements in the Constitution that "the executive Power shall be vested in a President" and the president should "take care that the laws be faithfully executed" • Most relate to foreign affairs POWERS OF FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT Federal Government Powers 1. Regulate interstate and foreign trade 2. Coin and print money 3. Post offices 4. Raise and support armed forces 5. Declare war and make peace 6. Govern US territories and admit new states 7. Pass laws regulating immigration 8. Make all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out its powers Shared (Concurrent Powers) 1. Collect taxes 2. Borrow money 3. Establish courts 4. Charter banks 5. Make and enforce laws 6. Provide for the health and welfare of the people State (Reserved) Powers 1. Regulate trade within the state 2. Establish local governments 3. Conduct elections 4. Determine qualifications of voters 5. Establish and support public schools 6. Pass laws regulating businesses within state borders 7. Make civil and criminal laws 8. Pass license requirements for professionals LIMITS ON FEDERAL AND STATE POWERS • Powers Denied to the Federal Government • Tax imports • Pass laws favoring one state over another • Spend money unless authorized by federal law • Powers Denied to the States • Issue its own money • Make a treaty with a foreign gov • Go to war • Powers Denied to Both Levels • Deny people certain rights, such as trial by jury • Grant titles of nobility RESPONSIBILITIES • Federal • Make sure states have rep gov • Protect states from violent actions • Respect states’ territories • State • Set district boundaries for Congress • Set up rules for electing members of Congress • Maintain National Guard