Constitution
Essential Principles and
Vocabulary
Consent of the Governed:
Our Foundation
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pDcYF64rs&feature=youtu.be
• Define in your own words: Consent of the
Governed.
Congress
Bicameral Legislature
• House of
Representatives
based on population
• 435 total today
• Elected every two
years
•
•
•
•
Senate
2 from each state
100 today
Originally chosen by
State Legislatures
• Elected today
• Serve 6 years
Representative Government
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVD0b
Z5H4MY&list=UUEaVYnwbWa6Jzu1xfqk3
RQg&index=18
• Constitutional Republic, not a direct
democracy
• Question: Why is direct democracy a
possible threat to the people’s rights?
Federalism
• Power is divided between the National or
Federal Government and the States
Powers
• Reserved Powers
(STATES)
• powers that the
Constitution does not
give to the national
government that are
kept by the states
• Concurrent
Powers(SHARED)
• Powers Shared by
both the Federal and
State Governments
Other Powers
• Enumerated or
Delegated
Powers(FEDERAL
OR NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT)
• These are the powers
of Congress
specifically outlined in
the Constitution
•
Elastic clause
Congress shall have the 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.
•
This has been also called the
"necessary and proper clause.“
Congress can pass laws which
enable it to carry out its powers.
The Rule of Law
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0MTE
m2a7PA
Legal Terms
• quorum
• minimum number of
members present needed to do official
business
• Precedent
• An example for future
courts or people to
follow.
• writ of habeas
corpus
• legal order to present
a jailed person in front
of a judge to be
charged with a crime
or released from jail
More Legal Terms
• bill of attainder
• law that condemns a
person without a trial
in court
• ex post facto law
• law that would make
an act a criminal
offense AFTER it was
committed
Taking Sides
• Anti-federalists
• those who opposed
the ratification of the
Constitution and a
stronger National
Government
• Federalists
• Those who support
ratification of the
Constitution and want
a stronger National
Government.
Other Words
• ratification – formal
approval
• veto – NO – the
president refuses to
sign a bill into law
• extradition – return
of the accused to the
state where the crime
took place
• impeachment –
formal accusal of
wrongdoing of a
public office
• suffrage – right to
vote
Interpretation of the Constitution
• Loose Constructionist
• Broadly interprets the
Constitution and
infers powers.
• Increases the power
of the Federal
Government
• Alexander Hamilton
• Strict Constructionist
• Wants to limit the
power of the federal
Government to those
powers explicitly
stated in the
Constitution
• Thomas Jefferson
Separation of Powers
• No one branch of government is all
powerful.
• Legislative Branch: Makes the Law.
• Executive Branch: Enforces the Law
• Judicial Branch: Interprets the Law
• Checks and Balances: Keeps one Branch
from assuming too much power.
Separation Of Powers
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnqkyGzYYg&feature=youtu.be
Presidential Cabinet
• Cabinet
• A group of advisors to
the president
• Order of Secession
• Vice-President,
Speaker of the
House, President ProTempore, Cabinet
members in order of
creation