Social Studies Survey

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

1. List and Define the 7 major principles of the
   Constitution
2. Analyze the 3 major branches established by the
   Constitution and Describe their significance
   within our government
3. 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

8
(No Transcript)
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
  anothers functions creating a balance of power

13
(No Transcript)
14
(No Transcript)
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?vFFroMQlKiag
• School House Rock (320 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?vvYVa1vYbPPo

25
(No Transcript)
26
2) Chief Diplomat

• Directs Foreign Policy
• Negotiates Treaties and Executive Agreements
• Appoints Ambassadors
• Recognizes Foreign Governments

27
(No Transcript)
28
(No Transcript)
29
3) Commander in Chief

• Civilian authority
• Asks for Declaration of War
• Troops/serious disorder in nation

30
(No Transcript)
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?v6-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

37
(No Transcript)
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

41
(No Transcript)
42
(No Transcript)
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