Chapter 3
The Constitution
Section 1: A Blueprint for Government
Drawing lessons from history, the Framers wrote a
constitution that divided, limited, and balanced power among
three branches of government.
Do Now
What is the difference
between “Separation of
Powers” and “Balance of
Powers”. In 3
sentences, explain your
answer and give an
example.
Learning Goals (students will learn…)
Essential
Question
Objectives
 the 6 goals of the
 How has the
Constitution.
resiliency of the
 the 6 principles of government U.S. Constitution
contributed to
in the Constitution.
the strength of
 what popular sovereignty is.
the
gov’t
it
 why the principle of judicial
created?
review is so powerful.
Goals of the Constitution
1. Form a more perfect union
 Strengthen state relationships & state to national relationships.
2. Establish justice
 Reasonable, fair, & impartial laws.
3. Ensure domestic tranquility
 Keep peace & maintain order
4. Provide for the common defense
 Defend against foreign enemies
5. Promote the general welfare
 States & citizens benefit militarily & economically.
6. Secure the blessings of liberty
 Protect & preserve liberty.
Principles of the Constitution
1) Popular Sovereignty

The people establish government & are
the sources of its power.
2) Limited Government


Gov’t. powers are restricted to protect
individual rights.
Rule of Law: Every member of society,
including the ruler or gov’t., must obey
the law & is never above it.
3) Separation of Powers

Power is divided among 3 branches to
prevent concentration & abuse by any 1
branch.
Principles of the Constitution…cont’d.
4) Checks & Balances


Each branch can restrain some powers of the other 2.
Veto: President rejects legislation
5) Judicial Review


Power to strike down laws & other gov’t actions as
unconstitutional.
Unconstitutional: Law or gov’t action that violates the
Constitution.
6) Federalism


Rights of states protected by dividing power between state & nat’l.
gov’t.
Supremacy Clause: National laws & Constitution surpass state law.
Group Activity
 Small groups of 3 or 4.
 Each group is a task force assigned to design a new
constitution.
 Come up with a list of six to twelve goals for the
new constitution.
 Each group will read its list aloud.
 Write goals on board and eliminate duplicate or
similar goals.
 Compare class goals with the 6 goals of the
Constitution.
Exit Slip
1. How does the executive branch
check the legislative & judicial
branches?
2. How does the legislative branch
check the executive & judicial
branches?
3. How does the judicial branch check
the legislative & executive branches?
Sec. 2: An Enduring Document
The Constitution is both a product of its time and a document for
all time. It can be changed as society’s needs change.
Do Now
If you could
amend the
Constitution
what would be
one thing you
would change
and explain why.
Learning Goals
Objectives (Students will learn…) Essential Question
 how Jefferson & Madison
differed on amending the
Constitution.
 why the Constitution
could be called a
document for all time.
 how the Constitution can
be amended.
 What types of
amendments have
been added to the
Constitution over
the last 220
years.
TJ vs. Madison on Constitutional Changes
 Jeffersonian
 Constitution revised every
generation or so.
 “The Earth belongs to the living, not
to the dead.”
 Pro-Madison
 Laws are accepted more the longer
they stay unchanged.
 Too many changes could divide
nation into factions.
The Amendment Process
 Proposing an Amendment
1. By Congress, with the approval of at least 2/3 (Supermajority) of
the House & Senate.
2. By delegates at a national convention called by Congress & requires
2/3 of state legislatures.
 Ratifying an Amendment
1. Voted on by state legislatures. ¾ of all state legislatures must
approve.
2. Citizens elect delegates to a state convention. ¾ of these state
conventions must approve.
3. Repeal: Cancel or revoke a law by a legislative act. (18th)
 The Fate of Amendments
 10,000 plus proposed amendments.
 27/33 Ratified.
Exit Slip
 1. ___________strongly believed that the Constitution
should be regularly changed to meet the needs of the
people.
 2. The Framers made the _______ process difficult in
order to prevent the passage of frivolous amendments.
 3. Constitutional amendments may be proposed by a
national convention or ____________________.
 4. The passage of the _________ Amendment shows that
once an amendment is ratified, it can later be repealed.
 5. The ______ Amendment protects basic freedoms, such
as freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and freedom
of speech.
Group Activity
 Copy the chart below and list the four amendments you
think are most important. Explain your choice.
Amendment
Importance
Sec. 3: Applying the Constitution
The scope and impact of the Constitution have expanded as it has
been put into practice, interpreted, and applied to new or changing
social and political challenges.
Do Now
What are some of
the actions/powers
the President has and
what would be
something you
would do if you
were president?
Explain your answer
in 2 sentences.
Learning Goals
Objectives (Students will learn…)
Essential Question
 how the three branches of
 How can
government apply the
Constitution.
 how political parties, customs,
and traditions changed how the
Constitution is applied.
 what criticisms some people
have made of the Constitution.
political parties
affect judicial
interpretation
of the
Constitution?
The Federal Government Applies the Constitution
 Legislative Action
 Congress passed laws that created “inferior”
courts, and the executive agencies. Puts
meat on the bones of the Constitution.
 Executive Implementation
 Create Executive Agreements with
other world leaders. Agencies make rules
for the country (135,000 pages)
 Judicial Interpretation
 Courts have upheld laws, such as laws that
outlaw types of discrimination, as being
constitutional.
Political Parties, Customs, and Traditions
 Political Parties
 An organized group that seeks to win
elections in order to influence the activities
of gov’t.
 Customs & Traditions
 Popular ideas and heritage that carry over
from one generation to the next. (President
serving 2 terms)
 Cabinet: Group of advisors consisting of
the heads of the executive departments.
Criticisms of the Constitution
 Gridlock
 Inability to govern effectively due to separation of powers.
 Representation
 Senate is undemocratic. Each voter in Alaska far more power than voter in
California.
 Electoral College
 538 people vote for the President based on popular vote in a state. Winner
of popular vote doesn’t necessarily win.
 Winner-take-all Elections
 2nd place candidates get no representation, critics want proportional
representation.