Bellwork – 10/28 & 10/29
The US Constitution:
The Preamble &
Separation of Powers
Mrs. Foster & Ms. Diggs
Review
• What led the colonists to writing the Constitution?
1775
The Revolutionary War between
the Colonies and Britain begins.
1776
1777
The Articles of Confederation
are written but not yet ratified
Declaration of Independence
written; the 13 colonies become the
13 states, but are not yet united
under one central government.
Review
• What led the colonists to writing the Constitution?
1781
The last battle of the Revolutionary War
takes place; the 13 states set up a federal
government under laws called the Articles
of Confederation.
1786
Representatives from five states meet at
Annapolis, Maryland, to discuss interstate
trade. Because so few representatives attend,
Alexander Hamilton and James Madison call
for another convention to be held in
Philadelphia.
Review
• What led the colonists to writing the Constitution?
May 25, 1787
The Constitutional Convention begins on
May 25, in Philadelphia. Fifty-five
representatives attend and begin drafting
the Constitution.
Sept. 17,1787
1788
On September 17, 1787, the
convention comes to a close as the
representatives sign the Constitution.
On September 17, 1787, the convention
comes to a close as the representatives sign
the Constitution.
• 7 articles
• Legislative Branch
• Executive
• Judicial
• Relations between States
• Amendment Process
• Debts; Supremacy Clause
• Ratification
Part 3: Amendments
• The
Preamble
Part 2: Articles
Part 1: The Preamble
Structure of the Constitution
• Formal
Changes to
the
Constitution
Why a Constitution?
• What did the Declaration of Independence
do/say?
“…All men are created equal and are
endowed by their creator with certain unalienable
rights, which among these are Life, Liberty and the
Pursuit of Happiness…”
• The Declaration of Independence says
WHAT the Founding Fathers wanted. The
Constitution says HOW they were going to
set up a government that does/protects all
of those things.
Fun Facts About the
Constitution
That might sound like a lot but that makes it shorter than the sports
section in most newspapers!
Making it the oldest written constitution still in use
anywhere in the world!
What’s the Preamble?
• The Preamble is a single, long sentence that define
the broad purposes of the republican government
created by the Constitution
• It states in general terms and the Founding Fathers’
intentions regarding the Constitution's meaning and
what they hoped the Constitution would achieve.
The Preamble of the US
Constitution
• We the people of the United States, in
order to form a more perfect union,
establish justice, insure domestic
tranquility, provide for the common
defense, promote the general welfare,
and secure the blessings of liberty to
ourselves and our posterity, do ordain
and establish this Constitution for the
United States of America.
The Preamble Break Down…
• “We the People”
o Wording that shows that the power and authority
in our system of gov’t comes from the people
NOT the states. (The opposite of the Articles of
Confederation when the states had all the
power)
The Preamble Break Down…
Meaning: The framers of the Constitution wanted to ensure
cooperation among the states AND between the national
government. The two need to share power, making us a federal
system of government.
The Preamble Break Down…
Meaning: The framers hoped to create a system of government
based on fair laws that apply equally to all people.
The Preamble Break Down…
Meaning: the framers wanted
government to ensure peace and
order
The Preamble Break Down…
Meaning: The framers wanted the government to protect the
nation against foreign enemies.
The Preamble Break Down…
Meaning: The framers hoped the gov’t would ensure the wellbeing of the citizens
The Preamble Break Down…
Meaning: The framers hoped to guarantee freedom
for Americans, then and in the future too!
The Preamble Break Down…
“…do ordain and
establish this
Constitution for the
United States of
America.”
Meaning: That’s why we’re writing all this stuff down
so read it and pay attention, world!
The Preamble
We the people of the United States,
in order to form a more perfect
union, establish justice, insure
domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defense, promote the
general welfare, and secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselves and
our posterity, do ordain and establish
this Constitution for the United States
of America.
What do you think?
Why is the preamble so important to the framer’s of
the Constitution AND to us as citizens of the United
States of America?
Take 5 minutes to write the question and answer this
question in your spiral
• 7 articles
• Legislative Branch
• Executive
• Judicial
• Relations between States
• Amendment Process
• Debts; Supremacy Clause
• Ratification
Part 3: Amendments
• The
Preamble
Part 2: Articles
Part 1: The Preamble
Structure of the Constitution
• Formal
Changes to
the
Constitution
Guiding Question
How does the Constitution limit the power of
government through separation of powers and
checks and balances?
Terms
Checks and balances: a system
allowing a branch of a
government to amend or veto
acts of another branch to prevent
any branch from becoming too
powerful.
Separation of powers:
separating the duties of
government bodies (i.e.,
executive, legislative, &
judicial.)
Part Two: The Articles
• The main body of the Constitution
consists of SEVEN articles
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Article 1: Legislative Branch
Article 2: Executive Branch
Article 3: Judicial Branch
Article 4: Relations between States
Article 5: Amendment Process
Article 6: Debts; Supremacy Clause
Article 7: Ratification
State vs. Federal Gov’ts
The Constitution limits the powers of the government by
giving them individual responsibilities.
The responsibilities are either:
State
Or Both!
Federal
Federalism
Because we have a federal system of government,
our federal (national) gov’t and state gov’t share
responsibilities
State
Gov’ts Share
Responsibilities!
Federal
State vs. Federal Gov’ts
The Constitution limits the powers of the government by
giving them individual responsibilities.
The responsibilities are either:
Reserved
Concurrent
Delegated
Limiting Powers
• The Constitution limits the powers of the
government by giving them individual
responsibilities.
Concurrent
• Issues Licenses
(Driver’s,
Marriage, etc.)
• Conduct Elections
• Take measures for
public health &
Safety
• Collect taxes
• Build roads
• Establish
courts
• Makes Treaties
• Declares War
• Print Money
Articles I, II, & III of the
Constitution.
Review Terms:
• Checks and balances: a system allowing a branch of a
government to amend or veto acts of another branch
to prevent any branch from becoming too powerful.
• Separation of powers: separating the duties of
government bodies (i.e., executive, legislative, &
judicial.)
• Delegated Powers: powers granted to the national
(federal) gov’t, instead of the state gov’t, under the
Constitution
• Reserved Powers: powers kept by the states
• Concurrent Powers: powers shared by both the federal
state gov’ts under the Constitution
The Articles
Article 1:
Article 2:
Article 3:
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
Branch;
Branch;
Branch;
Makes Laws
Enforces Laws
Interprets Law
The Articles
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
Branch;
Branch;
Branch;
Congress
President
and Cabinet
The Supreme
Court
Executive Branch:
Enforces the laws.
Congress writes a
law, and the
President will get
to pass it or stop it
(veto) from
becoming a law.
Legislative Branch:
Makes the laws.
The President can pass a
law, but the Supreme
Court can decide if that
law violates the
Constitution or our
rights, and have it
repealed.
Judicial Branch:
Interprets the laws.
Decides whether a law violates your
Constitutional rights.
Guiding Question
• What is the structure and function of the three
branches of government according to Articles I, II,
and III?
Article I
o Article I of the Constitution lays out the foundations of
Congress.
o It divides Congress among the House of Representatives
and the Senate.
o It also stipulates qualifications for Representatives and
Senators, as well as, stipulates their duties and
responsibilities.
House of Representatives
• Composition & Election of House of
Representatives
o Voted for by the people every other year.
• Qualification of Members
o Must be at least 25 years old
o Live in the state they represent
o U.S. citizen for at least 7 years
• Apportionment of Representatives
o Based on population
o 435 seats total in the House
o One representative per 700,000 people in a state
House of Representatives
• House Only:
o Power of impeachment.
o Bills start here involving taxes.
• Shared with the Senate:
o Have the power to change laws in order to
protect voters.
o Determine naturalization laws.
o Coin money.
o Create the postal service.
o Declare war.
The Senate
• Composition
o Two senators per state
o Elected every six years
• Qualifications
o At least 30 years old
o Must reside in the state he/she represents
o U.S. citizen for nine years
• President of the Senate
o The VP of the USA is the President of the senate, but has no vote
unless there is a tie.
The Senate
• Senate Only:
o Impeachment Trial
o Deciding whether or not to remove from office.
• Shared with the House:
o Have the power to change laws in order to
protect voters.
o Determine naturalization laws.
o Coin money.
o Create the postal service.
o Declare war.
Article II
• Discusses the powers, qualifications, and
responsibilities of the Executive Branch.
Executive Branch
• Voting
o Voted for every four years and can only
serve two terms.
• Qualifications
o Natural born citizen
o 35 years of age or older
o Lives in the U.S. for at least 14 years
• Powers & Functions
o Power to appoint people to positions.
o Grant pardons.
o Make treaties.
Article III
• Discusses the qualifications, powers, and functions
of the Judicial Branch.
• The Judicial Branch is made up of the Supreme
Court.
The Supreme Court
• Qualifications
o Good Behavior
• Appointment
o By the President
• Powers & Functions
o Decide arguments over how to interpret the
Constitution, all laws passed by Congress,
arguments involving states, and in agreements
with other nations.