Chapter 7, Section 3

A More Perfect Union

Ideas That Shape the Constitution

Republic: a nation in which voters elect representatives to govern them

Americans were the first people to write a constitution setting up a government

Many ideas in the Constitution came from other people

League of the Iroquois

Used as a model for their idea of unityMember nations governed themselves but

joined together for defenseAt the Constitutional Convention an Iroquois

treaty was read, which began “we the people, to form a union…”

Similar language was used in the preamble of the United States Constitution

Ideas from Europe

England:Magna Carta included limiting power of the

rulerRepresentative governmentEnglish bill of Rights: protected the right of

individuals

Ideas from EuropeEnlightenment: to improve society through the use

of reasonJohn Locke: 1690 published Two Treatises on

Government2 ideas1. All people had natural rights to life, liberty, and

property2. Government is an agreement between the ruler

and the ruleda. Ruler must enforce laws and protect the peopleb. If a ruler violates the people’s natural rights the people

have a right to rebel

Ideas from EuropeFramers of the Constitution drew up the

Constitution as a contract between the people and their government

Ideas from EuropeMontesquieu: 1748 published The Spirit

of LawsUrged that the power of government be

divided amongst 3 separate branchesLegislative, executive, judicialSeparation of powers: division was designed

to keep any person or group from gaining too much power

Powers of government should be clearly defined to keep individuals or groups from using government power from their own purposes

A Federal System

How should they divide power between the national government and the states?

Federalism: division of power between states and the national government

People elect both national and state officialsNational government acts for the national as

whole.States have power over many local matters

What powers does the federal government have?

Powers are spelled out in the Constitution

Coin money, declare war, regulate trade between states and between countries

What powers do states have?

Powers are spelled out in the Constitution.Regulate trade within their state’s borders

Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or the people

What powers are shared?

Ex. Build roads, raise taxes

“The supreme law of the land”

The Constitution is the supreme law of the land

In any disputes between states or states and the national government, the Constitution is the final authority

Separation of Powers

Created to keep the government from becoming too powerful

The Legislative branchCongress: to make laws

House of Representatives Elected for 2 year terms

Senate 6 year terms

Article 1 of the Constitution sets out the powers of Congress

Collect taxes, regulate foreign and interstate trade, declare war, and raise and support armies

The executive branch

Some objected to the executive branch (memories of King George III)

Madison argued an executive was needed to balance the legislature

The executive branchArticle 2 of the Constitution sets up the

Executive branchHeaded by the president

Vice PresidentAny advisor appointed by the PresidentServe 4 year termsCarry out all laws passed by CongressCommander and chief of the armed forcesForeign relation

The executive branch

Article 3 of the Constitution calls for a Supreme Court and allows Congress to set up other federal courtsHear cases that involve the Constitution or any

laws passed by CongressAlso cases arising between 2 or more states

Electing the President

1700s news traveled slowly, how would voters get to know a candidate for president?

Electoral college; made up of electors from every stateElectors meet and vote for the President and

Vice president

A System of Checks and Balances

Checks and balances: each branch of the federal government has some way to check or control the other two branches

Checks on Congress

Bill: proposed lawCongress passes a bill which then goes to the president to be signed in to law

Checks on Congress

Vetoing: rejecting a bill The president can check the power of

Congress by rejecting a billOverriding: overruling the President’s veto

Congress can then check the president by overruling the President’s veto

2/3 of both houses must vote for the bill againA bill can become a law without the signature

of the president

Checks on the presidentSenate must approve presidential

appointmentsEx. Ambassadors to foreign countries, federal

judgesPresident can negotiate a treaty with other

countries Treaty only becomes a law with 2/3 of the

Senate’s approval

Checks on the Courts

President appoints judges that must be approved by the Senate

Congress may remove judges from office

A Living Document

This system has been working for more than 200 years

It is a living document because it can be changed to meet new conditions in the United States