Framework
&
Underlying Principles
of Constitution
Dee Ann Owens
A Glance at the Constitution
•
•
•
•
•
Plan of Government
4543 words
Living Document
27 Amendments
Oldest in the World
Parts of the Constitution
• Preamble
• Articles
• Amendments
Preamble
• Goals of the US
– Form a more perfect union
– Establish Justice
– Insure Domestic
Tranquility
– Provide for the Common
Defense
– Promote the General
Welfare
– Secure Blessings of Liberty
for ourselves and our
posterity
Articles
Explains how government will work
• Article I – Legislative Branch > creates laws
• Article II – Executive Branch > enforces laws
• Article III – Judicial Branch > interprets laws
Articles
Explains how government will work
• Look at Articles I, II, and II
• Just by glancing at the Articles, what
differences do you see?
• Why do you think this is?
Articles
• Article IV – Relationships > National to
States/State to State
• Article V – Amendment Process
• Article VI – National Supremacy
• Article VII – Ratification Process
Amendments
• 27 Formal Changes
• Changes that alter the
wording of the
Constitution
• Process to Amend
intended to be
difficult
Underlying Principles
of the Constitution
• Checks and Balance
• Limited
Government
• Federalism
• Rule of Law
• Republic
• Separation of
Powers
• Popular Sovereignty
National
Government Has
certain powers and
Responsibilities.
These are known as
Delegated, Expressed
or Enumerated
Powers.
The Nat’l Gov’t and
State Gov’ts share
some powers. These
are known as
Concurrent Powers
Definition: power to
govern is divided
between the national
government and state
governments with each
level having separate
powers and sharing some
powers
State Governments
have certain powers
and responsibilities.
These are known as
Reserved Powers.
Nat’l
Gov’t
State
Gov’ts
FEDERALISM IN ACTION
The Constitution
takes precedence
overall!
If there is a conflict
between a lower
level law and an
upper level law, the
upper level law
takes precedence.
The Ladder of Laws
Framework
&
Underlying Principles
of Constitution
Dee Ann Owens