Download The Constitution of the United States

The Constitution
of the United States
We will outline the sections of the US
Constitution and analyze how the
Constitution reflects the principles of
limited government, popular
sovereignty, republicanism, separation
of powers, checks and balances, and
federalism using graphic organizers.
The Preamble
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We the people
In order to form a more perfect union
Establish justice
Ensure domestic tranquility
Provide for the common defense
Promote the general welfare
Secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves
and our posterity
• Do ordain and establish this Constitution
for the United States of America
Article I –
The Legislative Branch
• Establishes Congress made up of two parts:
House of Representatives determined by the
population of each state for 2 year terms
• and the Senate with 2 senators from each
state for 6 year terms
• (Great Compromise)
• MAKE LAWS
• Power to tax, declare war
Article II –
The Executive Branch
• Establishes presidency without a term limit
• Each state elects presidential electors based
on number of congressmen. The electors
then elect the president
• ENFORCE, CARRY OUT THE LAW
• Power to negotiate treaties, create
departments necessary to enforce laws, veto
laws, appoint Supreme Court justices
• Commander in Chief of Armed Services
Article III –
The Judicial Branch
• Established the Supreme Court
• REVIEW LAWS (although not an original
intention of framers)
• Serve for life after being appointed by
president and approved by Senate
• Power to settle certain specific cases
SEPARATION OF POWERS
Articles I-III
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James Madison
The Federalist Papers
Federalist No. 58
Date: February 20, 1788
“An elective despotism
was not the government
we fought for; but one
in which the powers of
government should be
so divided and balanced
among the several
bodies of magistracy as
that no one could
transcend their legal
limits without being
effectually checked and
restrained by the
others.
Checks and Balances
Article IV- The States
(The Federal System)
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Establish local governments
Conduct elections
Regulate state commerce
Establish and maintain schools
Make marriage and divorce laws
Provide for public safety
Raise and support a militia
Article V – Amendments
Step One
•By Congress whenever two-thirds
of both Houses deem it necessary
OR
•BY A CONVENTION called by
Congress on the application of twothirds
of the state legislatures
Step Two
•BY LEGISLATURES of threefourths of the states OR
•BY CONVENTIONS in threefourths of the states (whichever
mode of ratification may be
proposed by Congress)
In more than two centuries, the
Constitution of the United States has
been amended only 27 times.
Summarize how it’s done –
PAIR/SHARE
Article VI
• The Supremacy Clause states that the
Constitution is the highest law in the
country.
Article VII
Delaware Dec. 7, 1787 unanimous
• 9 of 13 states have
to ratify the
Constitution for it
to become law
Pennsylvania Dec. 12, 1787 46—23
New Jersey Dec. 18, 1787 unanimous
Georgia Jan 2, 1788 unanimous
Connecticut Jan. 9, 1788 128—40
Massachusetts Feb. 6. 1788 187—168
Maryland Apr. 26, 1788 63—11
South Carolina May 23, 1788 149—73
New Hampshire June 21, 1788 57—47
Virginia June 25, 1788 89—79
New York July 26, 1788 30—27
North Carolina Nov. 21, 1789 195—77
Rhode Island May 29, 1790 34—32
The Constitution was written in
1787
And ratified in 1789 with the promise
a Bill of Rights would be written.
In 1789, George Washington is elected first President of the
United States under the Constitution.
The Bill of Rights was written and went through the
amendment process. The first 10 amendments were ratified
in 1791 halfway through Washington’s first presidency.