BASIC PRINCIPLES AND STRUCTURE OF THE CONSTITUTION Goals

BASIC PRINCIPLES AND STRUCTURE OF THE CONSTITUTION Goals: To understand the principles of the Const. To understand the different parts of the Constitution To understand the role of amendments

Basic Principles of the Constitution Popular Sovereignty – power belongs to the governed and government must be based on the consent of the governed Separation of Powers – division of executive, legislative, and judicial powers into 3 separate branches Checks and Balances – power is divided among 3 branches with each having some control over the other

Basic Principles of the Constitution Limited Government – guarantees that gov. does not hold all the power and that it only does what the people allow it to do Federalism – division of government power between a national government and state governments

Key Terms Amendment – a formal statement of change to a law or constitution Bill of Rights – the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States

Part One The PREAMBLE states the purpose for the Constitution Lists Six Goals � To form a more complete union � Establish justice � Ensure domestic tranquility � Provide for common defense � Promote general welfare � Secure the blessings of liberty

Part 2 The ARTICLES cover general topics and is divided into sections Article 1 – Legislative Branch Article 2 – Executive Branch Article 3 – Judicial Branch Article 4 – States and Federal Government Article 5 – Process for Amending Constitution Article 6 – Supremacy of National Law Article 7 – Outline of Ratification Process

Part 3 The AMENDMENTS are the additions to the Constitution (Only 27 have been made) The BILL OF RIGHTS keeps the government from limiting personal freedoms Key amendments: � 13 th Amendment - Abolished Slavery � 15 th Amendment – Suffrage to African Americans � 17 th Amendment – Direct Election of Senators � 19 th Amendment – Suffrage to Women � 22 nd Amendment – Limits President to Two Terms � 26 th Amendment – Suffrage to Citizens 18 years or older