G u i d e
t o
R e a d i n g
N o t e s
Section 2
Possible answers:
• “form a more perfect Union”: cooperation
among the states and a strong relationship
between the states and the national government
• “establish Justice”: rule by laws, not by the
military or a king
• “insure domestic Tranquility”: keeping peace
and maintaining order within the country
• “provide for the common defence”: protecting
the nation against foreign enemies
• “promote the general Welfare”: supporting an
economy and a society in which people can
prosper
• “secure the Blessings of Liberty”: protecting
freedoms gained in the American Revolution
and preserving them for future Americans
Sections 3 to 5
The completed matrix is below. Illustrations of the
branches of government will vary.
3 Legislative Branch
Congress
House
Senate
4 Executive Branch
5 Judicial Branch
Office of the President
Supreme Court
Number of Members
435
100
1
9
Length of Term
2 years
6 years
4 years
life
Are members elected or
appointed?
elected
elected
elected
appointed
Age Requirement
25
30
35
none
Citizenship Requirement
7 years
9 years
natural-born citizen
none
Two or More Powers of
This Branch of Government
• to decide how to
spend tax money
• to serve as
commander in
chief of the military
forces
• to rule on cases
involving a state
or an ambassador
from another
country
• to raise an army and
navy
• to declare war
• to pay government
debts
• to grant citizenship
• to make treaties
• to nominate
ambassadors and
Supreme Court
justices
• to grant pardons
• to decide whether
laws and actions
by the other
two branches
conflict with the
Constitution
• to protect the
“supreme Law of
the Land”
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
The Constitution: A More Perfect Union 1
G u i d e
t o
R e a d i n g
N o t e s
Section 6
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2. See diagram at right.
Executive Branch
•
1. The framers developed
a system of checks and
balances because they
wanted to limit the
government’s power to
ensure that one branch
did not dominate the others.
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•
• Supreme Court rejects laws.
Judicial Branch
Legislative Branch
• Congress can impeach federal judges. • Congress approves Supreme Court
judges.
Section 8
Section 7
1. The framers made sure the Constitution could
be amended so that it could be responsive to
changing times. They made the amendment
process difficult, however, so that changes
would not be made hastily and without the
consent of a large majority of citizens.
2. Flowcharts will vary. An amendment can be
proposed by a two-thirds vote of each house
of Congress or by a national convention called
by Congress at the request of two-thirds of
the state legislatures. An amendment can be
ratified by at least three-fourths of the state
legislatures or by special conventions in at least
three-fourths of the states.
1. The framers wanted a strong national
government. At the same time, they wanted
the states to have significant powers.
2. The commerce clause gives the national
government the power to regulate interstate commerce.
3. With a common market, goods and resources
could flow more easily across the country, and
large businesses could cross state lines. The
common market also helped to create a single
national economy.
Section 9
1. The principle of majority rule is based on
the idea that government actions reflect the
popular will. Laws are passed in Congress by
majority vote and elections are decided by a
majority of voters.
2. Illustrations will vary. Possible answers: People
can join political parties or interest groups,
vote, and express their interests and concerns
to their elected officials.
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
The Constitution: A More Perfect Union 2