Chapter 3-4

The Constitution and Federalism

Constitution

• 7,000 words total• “Supreme law of the land”• Written largely by James

Madison• Built on 6 Principles:

#1 Popular SovereigntyPpl are only source of gov pwr; ppl give gov the pwr they need to

rep them.

#2 Limited Gov.

Gov is limited b/c ppl have unalienable rights. Gov must obey guidelines of consti. Rule of Law-gov

and it’s officers are always subj to law

#3 Separation of Powers

Pwr distributed amg 3 separate branches (i.e.

leg., exe., and judicial) so one branch isn’t too

pwrfull.

Separation of Pwrs

#4 Checks and BalancesEach branch can check the

others:Cong-override veto w/ 2/3 vote

in both housesPres-Names Sup. Crt justices w/ Senate approval; can veto billsSup. Crt-Judicial Review-pwr to

declare act or action unconstitutional

Checks and Balances

#5 Judicial Review

Pwr to declare something unconstitutional-130+

cases have been declared unconstitutional since the crts creation. Over time

pwr has evolved, especially with growth of

media.

#6 FederalismDivision of pwr among central

gov and several regional gov’ts.

Structure of ConstitutionSubject

States the purpose

Legislative branch

Executive branch

Judicial branch

Relations among the States and with the National Government

Amending the Constitution

National debts, supremacy of national law, and oaths of office

Ratifying the Constitution

Section

Preamble

Article I

Article II

Article III

Article IV

Article V

Article VI

Article VII

Did you get it???Article II of the Constitution establishes

the powers of the(a) executive branch.(b) legislative branch.(c) States.(d) judicial branch.

2.The principle of popular sovereignty asserts that the(a) government should be divided into

three branches.(b) monarch is the supreme ruler.(c) means of production should be

owned by the proletariat.(d) people are the source of any and all

government power.

2 Ways to Change Constitution

1. Formal Amendment (4 Ways)

2. Informal Amendment (5 Ways)

Amending the Consti.

Formal Amendment

Amendments

Bill of Rights

Informal Amendments

1.) the passage of basic legislation by Congress

2.) actions taken by the President

3.) key decisions of the Supreme Court

4.) the activities of political parties

5.) custom

Did you get it???1.An informal amendment can be

established by (a) actions taken by the President.(b) custom.(c) key decisions of the Supreme Court.(d) all of the above.

2.An executive agreement is (a) a promise from the President to the

legislature.(b) a pact made by the President

directly with the head of a foreign state.

(c) a decision made by the President and his cabinet members.

(d) the contract the President signs when he accepts the office.

Assignment

In your workbook, complete chapter 3 sections 1-3 for next

time.

Federalism

Division of pwr b/w a central gov and

several regional gov.

Federalism

Delegated Pwrs of Nat’l Gov

• Expressed (i.e. Enumerated pwrs)-expressed in consti.

• Implied (i.e. Necessary and Proper Clause, Article 1, sect. 8) not expressed but interpreted.

• Inherent (Inherited over time) not expressed but ones that the gov has to have in order to work.

Division of Pwrs

Supremacy Clause:Constitution is “Supreme

Law of the Land.”

Process of Admitting New States

1. Cong. Passes an Enabling Act

2. State creates a constitution of their own

3. If state constitution is approved by congress, there is an Act of Admission issued.

Assignment:Do Chapter 4, Sect. 1-2 in

your workbook

Review Assignment

Create a 25 Question Test:Use these formats:

M/C, Listing, Matching, Short Answer.

Include answers in the test that are highlighted.

Post-it Note Activity

7 Articles of Constitution 6 Principles of Constitution

2 Ways to Formally Amend Consti.

7 Amendments (Besides BOR)

5 Ways to Informally Amend Consti.

3 Powers of Gov’t from Consti.

Individual and Concurrent Powers of State, Federal Gov.

Supremacy Clause/Necessary and Proper Clause

3 Steps to Admit New States