The Constitution Handbook

1. The Constitution Handbook Social Studies Survey Pages 120-129

2. Essential Question • Why has the Constitution been able to endure for over 220 years when many other Constitutions around the world have been changed, altered, or abolished (some several times over)?

3. I CAN: • List and Define the 7 major principles of the Constitution • Analyze the 3 major branches established by the Constitution and Describe their significance within our government • Evaluate the rights and duties of American citizens as defined in the Constitution

4. Structure • US Constitution is simple and brief (7,000 words) • Does not spell out every word but leaves it for future generations to interpret • Divided into three parts • Preamble • Articles (7) • Amendments (27)

5. Major Principles • These 6 principles help to influence the character of American Government • Popular Sovereignty • Republicanism • Limited Government • Federalism • Separation of Powers • Checks and Balances • Individual Rights

6. Popular Sovereignty Rule by the People Authority for government flows from the people and consent of the governed

7. Limited Government • Constitution limits the actions of government by specifically listing powers it does and does not have

9. Federalism • Power divided between states and national government • Represented a middle ground-forge a union but limit central government • National government has the power to act for country as a whole, states have power over many local matters

10. Separation of Powers • Each branch has its own responsibilities to help one branch from taking over

11. James Madison Separation of Powers • “But the great security against a gradual concentration of the several powers in the same department consists in giving to those who administer each department the necessary constitutional means and personal motives to resist encroachments of the others….Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place….If men were angels no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external or internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government, which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the government to control the governed: and in the next place, oblige to control itself.”

12. Checks and Balances • Each branch of government exercises some control over the others • A check is a control one branch has over another’s functions creating a balance of power

15. Judicial Review • Power of courts to declare laws and actions of local, state, or national govt invalid • Acts against the Constitution must be illegal • Marbury vs Madison established the judicial review precedent • Supreme court decision may only be changed by Amendment or supreme court changes its views

16. Enumerated, Reserved, and Concurrent Powers

17. Amendment Process

18. The Legislative Branch Article 1 of the Constitution Makes the Laws

19. How a Bill Becomes a Law

20. How a Bill Becomes a Law Video • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFroMQlKiag • School House Rock (3:20 min)

21. The Executive Branch Article 2 of the Constitution Enforces the Laws

22. 1) Chief Executive • Enforces laws passed by Congress • Grant Reprieves • Grant Pardons • Grant Amnesty

23. 4 Tools of Chief Executive • Executive orders • Appointments (Must have Senate Approval) • Remove officials they have appointed • Impoundment of funds

24. President Truman desegregated Army in 1948 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYVa1vYbPPo

26. 2) Chief Diplomat • Directs Foreign Policy • Negotiates Treaties and Executive Agreements • Appoints Ambassadors • Recognizes Foreign Governments

29. 3) Commander in Chief • Civilian authority • Asks for Declaration of War • Troops/serious disorder in nation

31. 4) Chief (Head) of State • Represents the nation • Performs many ceremonial duties • Symbol of US and its people

32. Chief (Head) of State Videos • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-ftnSTu-CM

33. 5) Chief Legislator • Outline and Propose legislation (State of Union Address) • Calls Congress to Special Sessions • Veto

34. Signing Obamacare into Law

35. Reagan gives SOTU Address

36. Cabinet • General term for the advisers around any head of state • 15 secretaries, Vice-President, and other top officials • More than advisers; also administrators of bureaucracies

38. Executive Office of the President • EOP- created by FDR in 1939 • Individuals and agencies that directly assist the president • Provide specialized advice and information, help implement decisions and gain more control over executive branch

39. Executive Office Agencies

40. The Judicial Branch Article 3 of the Constitution Interprets the Laws

42. US Supreme Court 9 Justices D.C. Original and appellate Fewest cases 80-150/year • US Court of Appeals • 12 Courts (3 judge panel) • Appellate • US District Court • 94 Courts (judge and 2 types of juries: • 1. grand - indicts • 2. petit - determines guilty or innocence) • Original • Most cases

43. U.S. Supreme Court 2011-2012 • Nine Justices (1869): Eight Associate Justices led by a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

44. Judicial Review • Power of courts to declare laws and actions of local, state, or national govt invalid • Acts against the Constitution must be illegal • Marbury vs Madison established the judicial review precedent • Supreme court decision may only be changed by Amendment or supreme court changes its views