Section 1, Chapter 3
Ideals of the Constitution

Influences
 The Pilgrims: Wrote the Mayflower
Compact to create a new government
based on the consent of the people
 (Popular sovereignty)

Preamble
 Introduction of the Constitution
 Goals of the Constitution:
 to form a more perfect union
 establish justice
 insure domestic tranquility
 provide for the common defense
 promote the general welfare
 secure the blessings of liberty

The Constitution
 Preamble (intro)
 7 Articles
 Article I Legislative Branch (makes laws)
 Article II Executive Branch (enforces
laws)
 Article III Judicial Branch (interprets
laws)
 27 Amendments
 1-10 Bill of Rights

Representative Democracy
 Based on the consent of the people
 Elect representatives/send letters
 Majority rules- a system in which the
decision of more than half the people
is accepted by all, but minority free to
express views

A Federal System
 Powers divided between the national
and state governments (Chart pg. 73)
 Delegated powers-powers given to
the federal government
 Reserved powers-powers to the
states

Concurrent powers-powers shared to
federal and state governments



U.S. Constitution and the laws of the
federal government shall be “the
supreme law of the land.”
Limited Government- a gov’t with
defined restrictions to its power
Bill of Rights-protects the powers of the
people
Section 2, Chapter 3
Three Branches of Gov.

Legislative Branch



Article I
Congress- makes the laws
House of Representatives and Senate

Executive Branch



Article II
Enforces, executes, or carries out the laws
Headed by President

Judicial Branch



Article III
Interprets laws and punish lawbreakers
Supreme Court

Checks and Balances


To ensure that no branch of federal gov’t
becomes too powerful.
Each branch has powers that check, or
limit, the other branches.
Section 3, Chapter 3
A flexible document


Constitution is flexible (adapts to a
growing/changing nation)
3 ways it can be adapted to changing
needs:



Amendments
Interpretation (Supreme Court)
Customs (Cabinet/terms)

The Amendment Process



Article V
Amendment- a written change made to the
Constitution
Proposed


By Congress by a 2/3 vote in both houses
or
By a national convention called by Congress
when requested by 2/3 (34) of the State
legislatures

Ratified


By the state legislatures of 3/4 (38) of the
States
By conventions held in 3/4 of the states