Chapter 3 The U S Constitution Section 1

Chapter 3 The U. S. Constitution Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution Section 2: The Three Branches of Government Section 3: An Enduring Document 1

Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution The Main Idea The Constitution is an agreement between the citizens of the Untied States and the government that the people will grant powers to the government. In return, the government is to carry out the goals of the Constitution. Reading Focus u How did the Pilgrims influence the framers of the Constitution? u What are the goals of the U. S. government as outlined in the Constitution? u What are the powers the Constitution gives to the federal and state governments? 2

Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution A. Pilgrims influenced the Framers 1. Mayflower 1. Released before they reached America that they needed some form of government 2. Mayflower Compact 1. Individual rights 2. Consent of the governed 3

Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution B. Government of the People 1. “We the People” (Preamble) 1. Opening words of the Constitution 1. The framers of the Constitution chose these words to make it clear that the United States government gets its powers from the American people 2. Popular sovereignty 1. People should have the right to rule themselves 2. The idea of elected people to represent our ideas 4

Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution C. Goals of the U. S. Constitution 1. Limited Government 1. A system in which government powers are carefully spelled out to prevent government from becoming too powerful 2. Majority rule / minority rights 1. The principle that in a disagreement, everyone will accept the decision of the majority (most of the people) 2. The framers included provisions to protect the rights of the minority and to allow the minority to express its views on issues. 5

Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution C. Goals of the U. S. Constitution 3. Six goals of the constitution a. Form a more perfect union b. Establish justice c. Insure domestic tranquility d. Provide for the common defense e. Promote the general welfare f. Secure the blessings of liberty 6

Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution D. Powers of Federal and State Governments Framers past experiences 1. Ex: The Articles of Confederation 2. Federalist system 1. Federal government 1. The top layer of government 1. National, Federal, or Central 2. Makes laws that govern the whole country 1. 7 State governments Has the authority only over the people who live within that state Strong points 1. 2. The national government can focus on matters of wide, national concerns, such as national defense and international trade Our federal system recognizes the differences that states’ people and allows them to solve local problems based on their own needs

E. Federal Government Powers 1. Delegated 2. Powers given to the Federal government a. Regulate tradef. Govern territory b. Coin money g. Foreign relations c. Declare war h. Raise/support army d. Admit new states e. Establish post offices 8

F. State Government Powers 1. Reserved 2. Powers a. Regulate trade within state b. Hold elections c. Incorporate businesses d. Issue licenses e. Establish local governments f. Provide for: public safety, health, welfare 9

G. Shared Powers 1. Concurrent a. Make and collect taxes b. Borrow money c. Make and enforce laws d. Establish courts e. Provide for the general welfare 10