The Constitution

Structure and Principles

Structure• 3 Main Parts to the Constitution:1. Preamble – Introduction; states goals and

ideas2. 7 Articles – Lays out the structure of the

government: I – US Congress; II – Executive Branch; III – Judicial branch and jurisdiction; IV – Relationship between the states and the national government; V – Amending the Constitution; VI –Supremacy Clause (Constitution, laws passed by Congress and treaties of the US are the supreme law of the land); VII – Ratification of the Constitution

3. The Amendments – changes to the Constitution

– The Constitution has been amended 27 times

– It provides a way to respond to a changing nation.

Major Principles• Popular sovereignty – Based on

the rule of the people. Authority for the government comes from the people.

• Federalism – Power is divided between the national and state governments. The reason for choosing federalism was due to the weak central government under the Articles of Confederation but people feared a powerful central government.

• Separation of Powers – power is divided between the 3 branches of government; to make sure one branch did not become too powerful.

• Checks and Balances –Each branch exercises some control over the others.– Ex. Congress makes laws. President can veto

laws. Congress can override a veto with a ¾ vote.

• Judicial Review – Power of the courts to declare if laws violate the Constitution.– Judicial Review was not clearly laid out

in the Constitution.– In the case, Marbury v. Madison – it set

the precedent for federal courts to rule on the actions of the government.

• Limited Government – the Constitution limits government actions by specifying its powers and listing powers it does not have, retains them for the people the right to govern themselves.