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CIVICS/McGuire. The Constitution Ch5 Sec3. What is the Constitution?. The constitution established our form of government , a republic. A republic is a government in which citizens elect their representatives – this idea is called popular sovereignty.
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CIVICS/McGuire The ConstitutionCh5 Sec3
What is the Constitution? • The constitution established our form of government, a republic. • A republic is a government in which citizens elect their representatives – this idea is called popular sovereignty
Preamble • Introduction to Constitution • States the goals of our government
Six Goalsof Preamble • To form a more perfect union. • To establish justice. • To insure domestictranquility. • To provide for the Common Defense • Promote the general welfare • To Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.
The ARTICLES • This portion of the constitution follows the Preamble. • It is organized into 7 parts. • IT is further divided into subsections calledCLAUSES.
Article 1 – The Legislative Branch • Describes the organization and power of the legislative branch – or CONGRESS. • Congress is divided into two houses • House of Representatives • The Senate.
Most Important Power of Congress • TO make laws. • A proposed law is called a BILL. • It must gain majority vote in both houses then to the president. If president signs the bill, it becomes law. • If the president VETOES the bill, Congress must vote again with 2/3 vote. Then it will become a law.
Delegated Powers • Coin money, declare war, regulate trade • Congress can make laws that are “NECESSARY and PROPER” for carrying out powers listed. Also, called the “ELASTIC CLAUSE.” • This clause worried anti-federalists and continues to bother Americans concerned with government abusing power.
Article 2 – Executive Branch • Office of THE PRESIDENT. • Some strengths of a monarch – but based on consent of people • Have to be elected every 4 yrs • Job is to EXECUTElaws (or carry out the laws) – NOT make them.
How and why is the President’s Power Limited? • President in charge of armed forces, but Congress must declare war. • President makes treaties, but must be approved by Senate. • President nominates judges, but the senate can reject it. • Power is limited to avoid abuse of power.
Article 3 – Judicial Branch • Job settle disputes between states • President nominates JUDGES, but Senate must approve. • Judges serve for lifeas long as they demonstrate good behavior.
Supreme Court • Has the final say in all cases involving the Constitution. • Appealscan be made in lower courts to come to the Supreme Court for the final decision.
Article 4 – The States • Each state must honor the laws of other states. • States respecting each other’s laws, helps preserve state’s rights and reduce conflicts between states.
Article 5 – Amending the Constitution • The Framers were aware that the future might change. They includedinstructions on how to make changes or AMENDMENTS to the constitution. 3/4ths of the states must approve an amendment.
Article 6 – Supremacy of the Constitution • Supreme Law of Land • Officials in state and national government take an oath stating the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. • No state can violate the constitution – if their laws conflict – • the Constitution takes priority.
Article 7 – Ratification • The last article of the constitution establishes the procedure for ratification – or APPROVAL, of the constitution.
Amendments • The FIRST TEN AMENDMENTS – are called the BILL OF RIGHTS. • These were because of the anti-federalists. • After the Bill of Rights only 17 other amendments have been added • There are a total of 27 amendments.
How does the Constitution Limit Government Power? • Checks and balances • Impeach President (president/house) • Ratify treaties (congress/president) • Judges (president/senate) • Interpret Laws (judicial/legislative) • Separation of Powers
Impeach the President • The president can beIMPEACHED (accused)by the House of Representatives in a case of serious wrong doing.
Federalism • The division of power between the states and national government is called FEDERALISM
Concurrent Powers • Concurrent powers are shared between state and federal governments • Collect taxes • Establish courts
Reserved Powers • Powers neither given to Congress nor denied to states by the Constitution • establish schools • Form police organizations