Essential Questions: How does the Preamble
illustrate American ideals and principles? How have
the Declaration of Independence and the US
Constitution played a role in the development of
America’s national identity? How effective is the US
Constitutional democracy? Why was compromise
necessary in the creation of the US Constitution?
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Preamble:
◦ The introduction to the Constitution – states the
Founding Father’s intentions for the government
established by the 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”

Articles:
◦ Sections of the Constitution; each discusses a diff. topic
 I: Establishes the Legislative Branch
(Congress)
 II: Establishes the Executive Branch (President)
 III: Establishes the Judicial Branch (Supreme
Court)
 IV: State powers and limits on state powers
 Sect. 1: Full Faith and Credit Clause – states have to honor
the laws of other states
 Clause 2: Supremacy Clause – the Constitution is the supreme
(highest) law in the land
V: Amendment process: How to add
amendments:
◦ 1. Approval from 2/3 of both houses of Congress and sent
to states for approval
VI: Federal Government’s powers
VII: How to ratify the Constitution
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Additions or changes to the US Constitution
27 Total
First 10 called the Bill of Rights
Principle
Definition
Example
Popular Sovereignty
power resides with the
citizens
(people have the right
to rule)
Election processes,
Impeachment
processes, recall
elections
Federalism
Separation of
government into
federal, state, and
local levels
US gov’t divides
powers between
Federal (National) and
State levels of gov’t
Separation of Powers
Political powers are
divided between three
separate branches of
gov’t to prevent one
branch from becoming
too strong
3 Branches of gov’t (L,
E, J)
Division of power
between Fed, State,
and Local gov’ts
Checks and Balances Power of 3 branches to
Example: President
“check” the powers of
can veto bills passed
the other branches to
by Congress
prevent one branch from
becoming too strong
Limited Government
People give power to the
gov’t, the gov’ts power
is not unlimited
Voting on issues,
paying taxes, elections
Power
Definition
Example
Enumerated
Powers specifically
given to the Fed. govt
Taxes, national
defense, borrow
money, coin money,
declare war, etc.
Reserved
Powers reserved for
the state governments
Establishing local
govts, schools,
marriage laws,
elections, etc.
Concurrent
Powers shared
between the Fed govt
and state govts
Power to tax, military,
court systems, roads,
etc.
Denied
Things Congress
cannot do
Pass Ex Post Facto
Laws
Implied
Powers given to
Congress by the
Elastic Clause
Healthcare Law
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
“Living Document:” The Constitution has to
be able to change and adapt over time as the
country itself changes. This is why the
Constitution is open to interpretation (strict
or loose).
Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause):
Article One, Section Eight – says Congress can
make laws that are “necessary and proper” to
carry out powers.
◦ Allows many powers that are not specifically
granted in the Constitution