The ConstitutionCreated in 1787

How did the Constitution create a ”more perfect union”?

1. A Federal System was adopted ( Federal Government) a system that divides the power between the central government and its members.

2. Improved the Federal-State and State-State relationships.

3 Different Types of Powers

1. Delegated

2. Reserved

3. Concurrent

What is the difference? Who has what?

• See chart on Board and copy into your notebook.

How did the Constitution correct some of the A. of C. weaknesses?

1. Gave Congress the power to create/collect taxes.

2. Gave Congress power to regulate trade (both foreign and internal)

3. The Constitution was made the “supreme law of the land”

4. Gave us a true leader ( The President)5. Created a system of federal courts in order to

carry out federal laws.6. Constitution can be amended with the approval

of Congress and a ¾ vote.

Components of National Defense

1. National Will- the first requirement is a strong sense of nationalism. The population must support and believe in their military for it to be effective.

2.Technology

• With scientific advancements coming so fast, today’s weapons may be obsolete by tomorrow.

• Some people say that investment in military hardware is both wasteful and unnecessary. The defenders of this policy say that the nation cannot afford to reduce defense spending until the threats of terrorism are eliminated.

3. Foreign alliances

• The economy of this country depends on access to foreign raw materials/products,

• We get our oil from Middle East/Mexico. Our electronics from China. ETC….

• Try to keep a steady balance of imports/exports.• The U.S. armed forces are very strong but

cannot defend every little corner of the globe. The solution to this is military alliances. (allies)

What do you think???

• Q: Has today’s war on terrorism increased or decreased the need to spend additional billions of dollars on weapons development?

• A:

The U.S. Armed Forces

• Are any of you thinking about joining?

Shifting Gears

• How far should government go to “promote the general welfare”?

• Today the United States spends billions of dollars for the nation’s medical, educational, and economic needs.

• Where does all this $$$ come from? (taxes)How much more is the American public willing to be taxed

to pay for economic assistance?1. Welfare2. Medicare3. Food stampsAre any of these a flawed system?

The “Unwritten” Constitution• Customs and usage have created a body of political

traditions known as the “unwritten constitution”.• None of these are mentioned or listed in the actual

Constitution but have become standard procedure in our government. The following are all examples:

1. Political parties (2 major parties Democratic/ Republican and all third minor parties)

2. Primary elections/conventions3. President’s Cabinet4. Two term limit for President5. Lobbying: the practice of pressuring government

officials to make decisions.

Example of Lobbying

• A bill to regulate the sale of guns. What effect would this have?

• This would draw interest from many different groups such as companies who make the guns, ammunition, targets, scopes, hunting equipment, etc.

• Groups of people that would have a loud voice in this topic: hunters, law enforcement, National Rifle Association (NRA)