Chapter 3.1 Basic Principles of the US Constitution

• The Constitution is the foundation on which our government and society are based.

• There are 7 Articles!– Articles = sections.

U.S. Constitution, Article Iestablishes Legislative Branch

• Bicameral – Senate and House of Representatives

• Duties given to Legislative Body – Make our laws– Appropriate Money– Regulate Immigration– Establish Post Offices and Roads– Regulate Interstate Commerce and Transportation– Declare War– Impeach POTUS

U.S. Constitution, Article IIestablishes Executive branch

• The President of the United States– Approves or vetoes laws made by Congress– Carries out laws made by Congress– Appoints federal court judges – Negotiates treaties with foreign nations

• Commander in Chief– Of all militaries

U.S. Constitution, Article IIIestablished Judicial Branch

• Supreme Court – has final say over any public case in America

• Interprets the meaning of laws

• Rules whether laws passed by Congress are constitutional or not

• Rules whether POTUS has acted accordingly– Done when Congress tries to impeach POTUS

U.S. Constitution, Article IV

• Gives ‘full faith and credit’ to each States – Forces other states to recognize all

government acts done by any state• Drivers license• Marriage documents• Birth records

U.S. Constitution, Article V

• Congress can propose Amendments to the US Constitution with 2/3 votes by States.

• There are 27 amendments today added to the US Constitution!– Can you name any?

U.S. Constitution, Article VI

• All debts owned by America at time of ratification will be recognized and must be paid back.

• Also, stipulates that the US Constitution is the ‘supreme law of the land’– Even over any state Constitutions.

U.S. Constitution, Article VII

• Stipulates 9 out of 13 states must sign the Constitution in order for it to be ratified.

5 basic principles of US Constitution

• Popular Sovereignty

• Limit Governments power

• Separation of Powers

• Checks an Balances

• Federalism

Popular Sovereignty

• The people hold the ultimate authority

• A representative democracy lets the people elect leaders to make decisions for them

Limited Government

• Framers wanted to guard against tyranny

• Government is limited to the power given them in the Constitution.

• The Constitution tells how leaders who overstep their power can be removed

Federalism

• The division of power between State and National Governments

• Some powers are shared

• The National Government has the “supreme power”

Separation of Powers

• No one holds “too much” power

• Legislative branch makes the laws

• Executive branch carries out the laws

• Legislative branch interprets the laws

5 Principles of Constitution

Limited Government

Separation of Powers

Checks and Balances

Federalism

Popular Sovereignty