A Level Government & Politics
Students should be able to:
• Understand the aims of a Constitution
• Identify and recall which provisions are outlined in each
Article of the Constitution
• Identify significant key provisions within the Articles

• A Constitution is a system of rules which describes the structure and powers of Government
• It also outlines the relationship between the three branches of government
• As well as the relationship between the government and the citizens
• Constitutions can be codified or uncodified
• Codified Constitutions are in one single place where as
Uncodified Constitutions are found in many different places such as Legislation, Common Law and even Conventions

A Constitution will outline the following within in it:
The
Constitution
The Limits upon Power
How power is exercised
Where power is located

The Modern US Constitution was drafted at the Constitutional Convention in
Philadelphia in May 1787
• 55 Delegates from 12 of 13 states took part
• Rhode Island did not participate
• The overall aim was to create a strong government whilst protecting individual freedoms
• A strong government was essential to dissuade an invasion by
Britain
It took four months to write the
Constitution. Those who wrote the
Constitution are known as the Founding
Fathers or Framers

States were divided over how to best represent the states in a Congress
Virginia Plan
States with large populations
New Jersey Plan
Wanted representation based on Population
Connecticut
Compromise
Bicameral System
One according to Population
One represented Equally
States with Small
Populations
Wanted representation to be equal per state

• Northern and Southern states could not agree on how to count slaves when calculating population.
• Important as a larger population means more representation in the House of Representatives.
• This would mean Southern States, which had a large number of
Slaves, would have a greater number of seats
• Agreed to count Slaves as equal to three-fifths of a person.
This clause was repealed by the Thirteenth Amendment

I

Grants all legislative Power to
Congress
Sets out the procedures for each Chamber
Establishes the
House of
Representatives and Senate
Provides for compensation for members of
Congress
Outlines how elections will be conducted
Details the
Legislative process
Outlines the powers of Congress such as tax powers
Sets Limits on the
Congress
Sets Limits on the
States

The Sections:
1. Legislative Power in Congress
2. House of Representatives
3. Senate
4. Congressional Elections
5. Procedures in the Chamber
6. Compensation for Members
7. Legislative Process
8. Powers of Congress
9. Limits on Congress
10. Limits on the States
Each Article is broken down into Sections.
Each of the Sections outlines a different provision.

Key Clauses Within each Section are clauses. These are some of the most important ones
Vesting Clause
• All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a
Senate and House of Representatives.
Origination Clause
• All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
Necessary and Proper Clause
• The Congress shall have Power ... To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
Tax and Spending Clause
• The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States
War Clause
• To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

I
II

Executive Power vested in a
President
Electoral College outlined
Term Length shall be 4 years
Rules that only natural born
Citizens can be
President
President will be chosen together with a Vice
President
Presidents must be at least 35 years old
Role of the Vice
President
President is
Commander in
Chief
President shall fill offices of the
United States

The Sections:
1. Presidents and Vice Presidents
2. Powers of the President
3. Presidential Responsibilities
4. Impeachment
The Electoral College is outlined in Section 1
The Oath of Office is outlined in
Section 1
Eligibility for Office is outlined in
Section 1
The President is stated as
Commander in Chief in Section 2
The State of the Union address is outlined in Section 3

Key Clauses Within each Section are clauses. These are some of the most important ones
Vesting Clause
• The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of
America.
Advice and Consent Clause
• He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States,
Faithfully Executed Clause
• He shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed

I
II
III

Judicial Power vested in one
Supreme Court
Justices cannot be given a pay cut
Congress can ordain and establish inferior courts
Justices hold their office for live in
Good Behavior
Outlines trial by
Jury
Details the rules surrounding
Treason

The Sections:
1. Federal Court Structure
2. Judicial Power and Trial by Jury
3. The Charge of Treason
The Constitution does not:
• Give the Supreme Court power of Judicial Review
• Require a set number of Supreme Court Justices

I
II
III
IV

Full Faith & Credit
Clause
New States can be admitted to the
Union
No New States can be formed from current states without legislation
Guarantee of a republican form of government
Guarantees protection from invasion
Protection from
Civil War

I
II
III
V IV

Proposed
Amendment
Vote in the House
2/3 Majority
Required
Vote in the Senate
2/3 Majority required
Constitution
Amended
Passed by ¾ of all
State Legislatures
Founding Fathers wanted the Constitution to be difficult to amend!
Votes in State
Legislatures

I
II
VI III
V IV

All debts from States are now responsibility of the US
Federal Law shall be the Supreme Law of the Land
All Senators and
Representatives at any level are bound by
Constitutional Oath
No religious test can be a requirement of
Office

I
VII II
VI III
V IV

9 out of 13 states must ratify the Constitution before it can be established.
2
3
#
1
4
5
6
7
8
9
State
Delaware
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Georgia
Connecticut
Massachusetts
Maryland
South Carolina
New Hampshire
Date
7 December 1787
12 December 1787
18 December 1787
2 January 1788
9 January 1788
6 February 1788
28 April 1788
23 May 1788
21 June 1788

II
I
III
IV
V
VI
VII
• Legislative Branch
• Executive Branch
• Judicial Branch
• Federal – State Relationship
• Amendment Process
• Federal Supremacy
• Ratification Process

A Level Government & Politics
Students should be able to:
• Understand the aims of a Constitution
• Identify and recall which provisions are outlined in each
Article of the Constitution
• Identify significant key provisions within the Articles