The Constitution Review

1. The ConstitutionReview American Government Mr. Bordelon

2. Topics • Amendments • Amendment process • Bill of Rights • Executive agreement • Treaties • Cabinet • Articles • Constitutionalism • Rule of law • Separation of powers • Checks and balances • Veto • Judicial review • federalism

3. Key Terms • A governmental system in which the powers of government are divided on a geographic basis.

4. Key Terms • A governmental system in which the powers of government are divided on a geographic basis. • Federalism.

5. Key Terms • The group that makes the formal selection of the nation’s President.

6. Key Terms • The group that makes the formal selection of the nation’s President. • Electoral college.

7. Key Terms • The idea that government must conduct itself in accordance with the principles of the Constitution.

8. Key Terms • The idea that government must conduct itself in accordance with the principles of the Constitution. • Constitutionalism.

9. Key Terms • The power of courts to determine the constitutionality of a law or other governmental action.

10. Key Terms • The power of courts to determine the constitutionality of a law or other governmental action. • Judicial review.

11. Key Terms • A system by which one branch of government can be restrained by one or both of the branches.

12. Key Terms • A system by which one branch of government can be restrained by one or both of the branches. • Checks and balances.

13. Key Terms • Under the principle of _____, the Federal Government has three equal branches.

14. Key Terms • Under the principle of _____, the Federal Government has three equal branches. • Separation of powers.

15. Key Terms • The Constitution is divided into seven major sections, called _____.

16. Key Terms • The Constitution is divided into seven major sections, called _____. • Articles.

17. Key Terms • The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution are known as the _____.

18. Key Terms • The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution are known as the _____. • Bill of Rights.

19. Key Terms • _____ results in changes to the written words of the Constitution.

20. Key Terms • _____ results in changes to the written words of the Constitution. • Formal amendment.

21. Key Terms • The principle of _____ states that government must be bound by a fundamental law.

22. Key Terms • The principle of _____ states that government must be bound by a fundamental law. • Rule of law.

23. Main Ideas • What are the six basic principles of the Constitution?

24. Main Ideas • What are the six basic principles of the Constitution? • Popular sovereignty • Limited government • Checks and balances • Separation of powers • Judicial review • Federalism

25. Main Ideas • How are popular sovereignty and limited government related?

26. Main Ideas • How are popular sovereignty and limited government related? • Popular sovereignty states that the people are the source of all government power. • Limited government states that the government can do only those things that the people have given it the power to do.

27. Main Ideas • What is the purpose of checks and balances?

28. Main Ideas • What is the purpose of checks and balances? • To prevent one branch of government from having too much power over the other branches.

29. Main Ideas • How can the judicial branch check the legislative branch?

30. Main Ideas • How can the judicial branch check the legislative branch? • Judges may overturn a law when they decide that it is unconstitutional.

31. Main Ideas • How can the executive branch check the legislative branch?

32. Main Ideas • How can the executive branch check the legislative branch? • Presidents may veto legislation and call special sessions.

33. Main Ideas • How many amendments have been added to the Constitution?

34. Main Ideas • How many amendments have been added to the Constitution? • 27

35. Main Ideas

36. Main Ideas • How does federalism apply in the amendment process?

37. Main Ideas • How does federalism apply in the amendment process? • Federal government proposes and states ratify.

38. Main Ideas • Name one way the Constitution has been changed by informal amendment.

39. Main Ideas • Name one way the Constitution has been changed by informal amendment. • Passage of basic legislation by Congress • Actions taken by the President • Key decisions of the Supreme Court • Activities of political parties • Custom

40. Main Ideas • How has Congress contributed to the process of constitutional change and development?

41. Main Ideas • How has Congress contributed to the process of constitutional change and development? • By passing laws that fill out the provisions of the Constitution and laws that expand congressional power.

42. Main Ideas • Name one example of the exercise of presidential power that show the constitutional change by informal amendment.

43. Main Ideas • Name one example of the exercise of presidential power that show the constitutional change by informal amendment. • Use armed forces as commander in chief (without congressional declaration of war; think emergency defense). • Executive agreements.

44. Main Ideas • Name one way in which custom has affected the constitution.

45. Main Ideas • Name one way in which custom has affected the constitution. • Cabinet • Third-terms

46. Main Ideas • What is a treaty? What is an executive agreement?

47. Main Ideas • What is a treaty? What is an executive agreement? • An executive agreement is a pact made by the President directly with the head of a foreign state. • A treaty is a binding international agreement that requires the Senate to ratify/agree/consent.

48. Extra Credit • Amendments!