american citizenship chapter 3: the constitution
TRANSCRIPT
American Citizenship
Chapter 3: The Constitution
Section 1
Six Basic Principles
An Outline of the Constitution
Contains roughly 7,000 words Preamble Articles
First three articles deal with the three branches of the National Government
Legislative Executive Judiciary
Basic Organization and Powers
An Outline of the Constitution (Con’t)
Article IV States Powers and Relationship with National
Government Article V
Amendments Proposal and Ratification Article VI
Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land Article VII
Methods of Ratification of the Constitution Followed by 27 Amendments
Basic Principles
Popular Sovereignty Governed by the People
“We the People…” Preamble
Limited Government Government is not all powerful Rule of Law
Government and its officials are always subject to the law
Basic Principles (Con’t)
Separation of Powers Congress is the lawmaking body Executive is the law enforcing and executing
branch Judiciary interprets and applies the laws Each Branch is separate and independent
Basic Principles (Con’t)
Checks and Balances Each Branch, though separate, yet also tied
together They each contain powers to check the other
branches powers Ex.
Congress can pass laws and president can veto the law
Makes Compromises vital
Basic Principles (Con’t)
Judicial Review The Power of courts to decide whether the
government is in accordance with the law Determine if governments actions are
unconstitutional To declare illegal, null and void
Federalism The division of power among a central
government and several regional governments (AKA States)
Section 2
Formal Amendments
Constitution
A living and changing document Change has come about in two ways
Formal Amendment Changes or additions to language of Constitution
Informal
Formal Amendment Process
Changes in its written words Two methods for proposal Two methods for ratification
Four methods of Formal Amendments First Method
May be proposed by 2/3 vote in each House of Congress and ratified by ¾ State Legislatures (38)
26 of 27 Amendments adopted in this manner
Formal Amendment Process (Con’t)
Second Method Proposed by Congress and ratified by
conventions held for by ¾ of the States 21st Amendment ratified through this method
Third Method Amendment proposed by a national convention,
called by Congress, ratified by ¾ State Legislatures
Never Done Before
Formal Amendment Process (Con’t)
Fourth Method Proposed by a national convention and ratified
by ¾ of conventions in states Federalism
Amendments proposed at national level Ratification at state level
Proposed Amendments
10,000 Proposed Only 27 Amendments exist today
Bill of Rights -1791 First 10 Amendments First Action by the Congress in 1791 A Major Compromise with Anti-Federalist
Later Amendments Check Page 76 for Subject of Amendments
Section 3
Constitutional Change by Other Means
Basic Legislation
Congress has given meaning to many of the constitution brief statements Judiciary Act of 1789 Homeland Security Etc.
Executive Action
Also given meaning to Constitution Example
Use of troops without congressional declaration of war
Executive Agreements Pacts between heads of state that don’t require
approval from Senate Treaty
Requires approval from Senate
Court Decisions
Marbury v. Madison 1803 Claimed for Supreme Court the power to declare
a law unconstitutional Chief Justice John Marshall helped define the role and
power of the Supreme Court
Party Practice
Constitution does not mention political parties
Big use of electoral college Group that makes formal selection of the nation’s
president
Customs
Powers and/or organizations not granted by constitution Creation of the cabinet Succession of President to Vice President
Amended later
No Third Term until FDR Started by George Washington Required now by 22nd Amendment in 1951