The Constitution
Explain how the document helps safeguard our basic
freedoms and protects the people from abuse?
What accounts for the longevity of our Constitutional
government?
http://www.usconstitution.net
5/29/2016
1
Philadelphia, 1787







5/29/2016
Delegates Charge
Deficiencies in AOC
Early Decisions
Various Plans
Who Were Founders?
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/
convention/
Philosophical Principles
2
Proposals
The Virginia Plan &
 New Jersey Plan
http://library.thinkquest.org/11572/cre
ation/framing/va_nj_plans.html
• The New York Plan and More!
http://www.usconstitution.net/constto
p_ccon.html

5/29/2016
3
Features of Document






5/29/2016
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Federalism: States v. National
Representation
Slavery
Compromises
4
Article I: Legislature






5/29/2016
General Authority
The House: Sec. 2
Qualifications
3/5 Compromise
Impeachment
Revenue Authority
5
The Senate
General Authority
Sec. 3
Qualifications
Treaty Powers
Impeachment
Agreement of Two Houses
5/29/2016
6
Sections 4-7





5/29/2016
Meeting Times: 4
Rules, Quorum, Records: 5
Salary, Protections: 6
Revenue bill originate the House,
Veto & 2/3, Pocket veto 7
Note Checks and Balances
7
Section 8 Specific or
Enumerated Powers
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
5/29/2016
Power Tax, Tariffs and Borrow
Regulate Interstate Commerce
Naturalization Authority
Coin Money
DECLARE WAR!!!!!!
Coercive Authority
The Elastic Clause or that which is
necessary and proper
8
Section 9




5/29/2016
Section 9: Slave Trade not
suspended until 1808 (earliest)
Writ of Habeas Corpus sacred
since 1215 & Magna Carta
Bill of Attainder & Ex Post
http://www.techlawjournal.com/glos
sary/legal/attainder.htm
Appropriations-expenditures-by
law and full disclosure to public
9
Section 10
Terminologies defined
http://www.usconstitution.net/const.ht
ml#A1Sec10

General Websites
http://www.constitution.org/
http://www.loc.gov/index.html
http://www.house.gov/

5/29/2016
10
Art II Executive
Section 1






5/29/2016
What is exec authority
Term & Qualifications
Electoral System
Succession (25th Amendment)
Salary
Oath of Office
11
Article I, Sec2-4







5/29/2016
Commander in Chief
Pardon Power
Treaty and Consent
Nominate Officials
Recess Appointments
State of the Union Msg
Impeachment
12
Art III, Judiciary







5/29/2016
Court Authority?
Life Appointment
Scope of Jurisdictions
Cases of Treason
Number of Justices?
Resume?
Historical Cases and the Court
13
Article IV
Federal Authority & Jurisdiction
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data/co
nstitution/article04/#annotations
 Persons owing service (runaways)
 Congress and Territories
(statehood regulations)
 Federal Government Promise to
the people of territories

5/29/2016
14
Articles V-VII
The Amendment Process
http://www.law.emory.edu/FEDERAL/
usconst.html
 Congressional Initiative
 States’ role & Ratification
 Supremacy Clause: Constitution
 How to ratify the Constitution in the
aftermath of framers’ work in 1787

5/29/2016
15
Postscript







5/29/2016
Preamble came last & six goals?
Objections of VA, NY, RI and NC?
Bill of Rights absence?
The Federalist Papers
Anti Federalists
Longevity of the Union?
Ultimate Tests?
16