The Constitution Constitution Basic principles and laws of

The Constitution

Constitution • Basic principles and laws of a nation • Outlines powers and duties of a government • US Constitution contains: – Preamble – Articles – Amendments

How did the Constitution strengthen the US Government? • We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Popular Sovereignty • The right of the people to participate in government • Having the consent of the people and government responsible to the people. • “People Rule”

Limited Government • To ensure that a central government never becomes overly powerful; the government can only carry out powers listed in the Constitution. • Why would the framers make sure to include this in the principles of the Constitution?

The U. S. Constitution • The New Constitution allowed for a separate executive branch (the President), a separate judicial branch (the Supreme Court), and a two-house legislative branch (the Congress).

Checks & Balances • A system where each branch can control the power of the others • No one branch can assume more power than another

Flexibility: • The Constitution was a FLEXIBLE document; what does this mean? • Why did the framers of the Constitution write it in a flexible way?

Elastic Clause (Necessary & Proper Clause) • Ability to “stretch” the interpretation of the Constitution • Makes it a flexible document. • Why is this important to include?

Amendment Process • Physical changes to the wording of the document. • First ten amendments = Bill of Rights • Only 27 amendments have been made in 200+ years.

Judicial Review • Ability of the courts to review laws to see if they are upheld by the Constitution.