civics ch.3 united states const

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON11

CIVICSCIVICS IN PRACTICEIN PRACTICEHOLTHOLT

Chapter 3Chapter 3

The U.S. ConstitutionThe U.S. Constitution

Section 1:Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution

Section 2:Section 2: The Three Branches of Government

Section 3:Section 3: An Enduring Document



Section 1:Section 1: Ideals of the ConstitutionIdeals of the Constitution

The Main IdeaThe Constitution is an agreement between the citizens of the

Untied States and the government that the people will grant powers to the government. In return, the government is to

carry out the goals of the Constitution.

Reading Focus How did the Pilgrims influence the framers of the

Constitution? What are the goals of the U.S. government as outlined in the

Constitution? What are the powers the Constitution gives to the federal and

state governments?



The pilgrims influenced the framers The pilgrims influenced the framers of the Constitution:of the Constitution:

November 21, 1620November 21, 1620——The The MayflowerMayflower CompactCompact was written to create a new government of was written to create a new government of popular sovereigntypopular sovereignty for the colonists. for the colonists.




Goals of the U.S. ConstitutionGoals of the U.S. Constitution To form a more perfect unionTo form a more perfect union Establish justiceEstablish justice Insure domestic tranquilityInsure domestic tranquility Provide for the common defenseProvide for the common defense Promote the general welfarePromote the general welfare Secure the blessings of libertySecure the blessings of liberty




The Constitution establishes federal The Constitution establishes federal and state powers. and state powers. Expressed powersExpressed powers give the federal government give the federal government

strength to protect and serve the country.strength to protect and serve the country. Reserved powersReserved powers are kept for the states to are kept for the states to

manage their own affairs and to balance the manage their own affairs and to balance the power of the federal government.power of the federal government.

Concurrent powersConcurrent powers are held by both state and are held by both state and federal governments.federal governments.




The Constitution establishes federal The Constitution establishes federal and state powers. and state powers. (continued)(continued)

The federal government is “the supreme law of The federal government is “the supreme law of the land” that all states must defer to.the land” that all states must defer to.

Limited governmentLimited government checks the powers of the checks the powers of the federal and state governments.federal and state governments.

The The Bill of RightsBill of Rights protects the powers of the protects the powers of the people.people.




Question: Why did the Constitution establish separate powers for the state and federal governments?

to keep each from getting

too strong

state government

federal government

SECTION 1



The Main IdeaThe Constitution prevents any person, or any part of the government, from taking too much power. It does this by creating three separate branches of the federal government

and distributing power among them.

Reading Focus Why does the Constitution provide for the separation of

powers? What are the main responsibilities of each of the three

branches of government? How does the system of checks and balances work?

Section 2:Section 2: The Three Branches of GovernmentThe Three Branches of Government



The Constitution provides for the The Constitution provides for the separation of powers.separation of powers. Ensures no person or branch of government is too Ensures no person or branch of government is too

powerfulpowerful Distributes power among three branches of Distributes power among three branches of

government: government: LegislativeLegislative JudicialJudicial ExecutiveExecutive




Responsibilities of the three Responsibilities of the three branches of government:branches of government:

LegislativeLegislative——the lawmaking branch the lawmaking branch ExecutiveExecutive——executes the country’s lawsexecutes the country’s laws JudicialJudicial——interprets laws and punishes law interprets laws and punishes law

breakersbreakers




The system of checks and balances:The system of checks and balances:

Each branch has powers no other branch can Each branch has powers no other branch can assume.assume.

Each branch has powers that limit the powers Each branch has powers that limit the powers of the other branches.of the other branches.




Question: Why does the Constitution provide for the separation of powers?

SECTION 2

to ensure that no one branch of the U.S. government becomes too powerful

Executive

Legislative Judicial



The Main IdeaThe Constitution is an enduring document that has met

the needs of a changing country for more than 200 years.

Reading Focus How did the framers envision change when writing

the Constitution? What are two ways in which the Constitution may be

changed?

Section 3:Section 3: An Enduring DocumentAn Enduring Document



The Constitution is a living document.The Constitution is a living document. It was designed to adapt to a growing, changing nation.It was designed to adapt to a growing, changing nation. There are three ways the Constitution can be adapted There are three ways the Constitution can be adapted

to changing needs:to changing needs: AmendmentAmendment——a written change to the Constitutiona written change to the Constitution InterpretationInterpretation——when the Constitution is interpreted in a new when the Constitution is interpreted in a new

wayway CustomCustom——traditions often referred of as the “unwritten traditions often referred of as the “unwritten

ConstitutionConstitution””




The flexible Constitution benefits The flexible Constitution benefits the United States.the United States. The government adapts to the changing The government adapts to the changing

conditions and needs of the country.conditions and needs of the country. The people can The people can repealrepeal constitutional constitutional

amendments if necessary.amendments if necessary. Minimum wage laws are an example of Minimum wage laws are an example of

flexible interpretation of the Constitution.flexible interpretation of the Constitution.




Amendments to the ConstitutionAmendments to the Constitution Proposal by twoProposal by two--thirds vote in both houses of Congress, or thirds vote in both houses of Congress, or

by two thirds of state legislatures calling for a national by two thirds of state legislatures calling for a national convention to propose the amendmentconvention to propose the amendment

The proposal must be ratified by three fourths of the states.The proposal must be ratified by three fourths of the states. Proposals may be sent to the state legislatures or to state Proposals may be sent to the state legislatures or to state

conventions for ratification.conventions for ratification. Approved amendments may be repealed by new Approved amendments may be repealed by new

amendments.amendments.


civics ch.3 united states const

Education