Unit 2: The US Constitution
*Copy of the US Constitution (pp50-69)
Unit 2: Chap 2: Sec 3: A New Constitution (pp40-46)
Learning Questions:
1) What principles of Great Britain’s government influenced the ideas of the delegates to the
Constitutional Convention?
2) How did the US government become stronger under the Constitution?
3) How did the viewpoints of Federalists and Antifederalists differ, and how did they resolve their differences?
Section 2.3 Vocabulary:
Delegates; bicameral; federalism; unitary system; compromise; legislature; ratification;
Parliament; Federalists; Antifederalists
Focus Point:
In May of 1787, a group of the country’s most respected leaders met in Independence Hall in
Philadelphia as delegates to the Constitutional Convention. They had decided that the previous
Articles of Confederation would not meet the needs of their new nation. These men wrote a new document that would establish a new government for the United States. That document was the US
Constitution and it has endured for more than 210 years. It is the world’s oldest written constitution still governing a country today.
Unit 2: Chap 2: Sec 3: A New Constitution (pp40-46)
A. The Delegates to the Constitutional Convention
B. An English Heritage: Magna Carta; English Bill of Rights; Parliamentary Government
C. Secret Meetings
D. Writing the Constitution
E. The Articles of Confederation Compared to the Constitution
F. A Strong New Country
G. Approving the Constitution
H. Federalists and Antifederalists
I. The Constitution is Ratified
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Unit 2: The US Constitution
Unit 2: Chap 3: Sec 1: Ideals of the Constitution (pp70-76)
Learning Questions:
1) How did the Pilgrims influence the framers of the Constitution?
2) What are the goals of the US government as outlined in the Constitution?
3) Why does the Constitution establish the powers of the federal and state government?
Section 3.1 Vocabulary: popular sovereignty; majority rule; delegated powers; reserved powers; concurrent powers; limited government; Preamble
Focus Point:
The Declaration of Independence states that governments should receive their powers from the
“consent of the governed”; that is, the people. This is one of the basic ideals that this country was founded and can be traced back in part to the Mayflower Compact on Nov. 21, 1620. The Pilgrims wrote the Compact to create a new government based on the cooperation and consent of the people.
Unit 2: Chap 3: Sec 1: Ideals of the
Constitution (pp70-76)
A. The Mayflo wer Compact
B. Consent of the Government
C. Goals of the Constitution
D. A Representative Democracy (Democratic
Republic)
E. A Federal System: Federal gov’t po wers;
State gov’t po wers; Shared po wers
F. Defining the Governments P o wers: Limited gov’t; Powers of the people
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Unit 2: The US Constitution
Unit 2: Chap 3: Sec 2: The Three Branches of Government: An Intro (pp77-79)
Learning Questions:
1) Why does the Constitution provide for the separation of powers?
2) What are the main responsibilities of each of the three branches of government?
3) How does the system of ‘checks and balances’ work?
Section 3.2 Vocabulary: legislative branch; executive branch; judicial branch; legislate; execute; judge; veto; checks and balances
Focus Point:
The Constitution contains provisions designed to prevent any person, or any part of the government, from taking too much power. It creates three separate branches of the federal government and distributes power among them. They are the legislative branch that makes the laws; the executive branch to carry out the laws; and the judicial branch to interpret or judge the laws.
Unit 2: Chap 3: Sec 2: The Three Branches of Government: An Intro (pp77-79)
A. The Legislative Branch
B. The Executive Branch
C. The Judicial Branch
D. Checks & Balances
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Unit 2: Chap 3: Sec 3: A Flexible Document (pp82-84)
Learning Questions:
1) Why is the Constitution called a ‘living document’?
2) How has the flexibility of the Constitution benefited the United States?
3) How are the amendments to the Constitution proposed and passed?
Section 3.3 Vocabulary: amendment; repealed; cabinet
Focus Point:
The Constitution was created in such a way as it could be changed or amended if needed. The US Constitution is truly a “living document” for it can change as the country’s needs change.
Unit 2: Chap 3: Sec 3: A Flexible Document (pp82-84)
A. Providing for Change
B. The Amendment Process
C. Changes in Government