The Constitution

1
The Constitution

1. Structure
2. Major Principles
3. Amendment Process

2
Structure of the Constitution

• The Preamble
• The introduction that states why the Constitution
  was written
• Union
• Justice
• Tranquility
• Defense
• Welfare
• Liberty
• Posterity
• Ordain

3
Structure of the Constitution

• SEVEN ARTICLES
• I. Legislative
• Congress

4
Structure of the Constitution

• SEVEN ARTICLES
• I. Legislative
• Congress
• II. Executive
• President

5
Structure of the Constitution

• SEVEN ARTICLES
• I. Legislative
• Congress
• II. Executive
• President
• III. Judicial
• Supreme Court

6
Structure of the Constitution

• IV. Relationship of states to one another and
  the national government
• V. How the Constitution can be amended
• VI. Supremacy clause (the Constitution is the
  supreme law of the land)
• VII. Explains how the Constitution can be
  ratified

7
Amendments

• The 27 changes made to the Constitution
• The first 10 are known as the
• Bill of Rights

8
Bill of Rights

• Freedom of Religion, Speech, and the Press
• Rights of Assembly and Petition
• Right to bear arms
• Housing of Soldiers
• Search and Arrest Warrants
• Rights in Criminal Cases

9
Bill of Rights

1. Rights to a fair trial
2. Rights in civil cases
3. Bails, fines, and punishments
4. Rights retained by the people
5. Powers retained by the States and the people

10
Major Principles

• Popular Sovereignty
• Rule by the people
• Federalism
• Power is divided between national and state
  governments
• Separation of powers
• division of power among the legislative,
  executive, and judicial branches
• Each branch has its responsibilities
• The Founders attempt to prevent any branch from
  gaining too much power

11
Major Principles

• Checks and balances
• Each branch of government holds some control over
  the other two branches
• Judicial review
• The power the Supreme Court to declare laws and
  actions of Congress and the president
  unconstitutional
• Limited government
• The Constitution limits the actions of government
  by specifically listing powers it does not have

12
Amendment Process

• Proposing amendments
• By a two-thirds vote of each house of Congress
• By a national convention called by Congress at
  the request of 2/3 of the states
• Ratifying amendments
• The legislature in ¾ of the states ratify
• Call a special ratifying convention and have ¾ of
  the conventions approve

13
Amendment Process
14
Amendment Process

• Informal changes
• Laws passed by Congress
• Congressional practices
• Presidents actions
• Supreme Court decisions