Unit 1: Foundations &

DevThe Constitution & Its Parts:

Ideals & Goals of the Constitution

What does our Constitution represent?

Our system of government

Basic beliefs and ideals

Breakdown of the Constitution

3 Main ComponentsPreamble – Why the Constitution was written

Articles (7) – Explain how the govt. is to work

Amendments (27) – changes made to the Constitution & citizens’ rights

Preamble We the People, in order to form a

more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America.

Preamble – Purposes of Government

1. To form a more perfect union2. Establish Justice3. Ensure domestic tranquility4. Provide for common defense5. Promote the general welfare6. Secure liberty

ArticlesArticle I – Legislative BranchMakes the laws

Article II – Executive BranchEnforces the laws

Article III – Judicial BranchInterprets the lawsEstablishes the U.S. Supreme Court

Article IV – Relations Among StatesRequires that states give citizens from other states the same rights as its own

How to admit new statesNational government will protect states

Article V – Amendment ProcessExplains the different processes for amending (changing) the Constitution

Article VI – National SupremacyContains the “supremacy clause” – establishes that the Constitution, laws passed by Congress, and treaties are the “Supreme Law of the Land”

Article VII – RatificationAddresses approval of the Constitution and that it would take effect after 9 states ratified, or approved, it

Principles, Powers, and Clauses in the

U.S. Constitution

Basic PrinciplesPopular Sovereignty

Idea that power lies with the people

Rule of LawLaw applies to everyone, even those who govern

FederalismCreation of national and state governments

Separation of PowersCreation of 3 branches of government

Checks and BalancesEach branch is able to check, or restrain, the powers of the others

Types of PowersEnumerated Powers

Powers given only to the federal government

A.K.A. – Delegated PowersReserved Powers

Powers reserved for state governments only

Concurrent PowersPowers shared between the state and federal governments

Expressed PowersPowers of Congress that ARE

specifically listed in the Constitution

Ex: Congress can declare warImplied Powers

Powers that Congress has that ARE NOT specifically listed in the Constitution

Ex: Create an Air Force

ClausesElastic Clause

In Article IGives Congress the right to make all

laws that they deem to be “necessary and proper”

A.K.A. – Necessary and Proper ClauseFull Faith and Credit Clause

In Article IVStates must recognize laws, public

records (i.e. licenses), and judicial decisions of other states

Supremacy ClauseNational government is ALWAYS

supreme