The Six Basic Principles 3 1 What are

The Six Basic Principles (3 -1) What are the six basic principles of the Constitution? What are the important elements (parts) of the Constitution? SECTION 1

Basic Principles Popular sovereignty: all political power resides with the people Limited government: no government is all-powerful and can only do what the people have given them the powers to do. Separation of powers: powers are distributed (separated) among the three branches Checks and Balances: each branch is subject to constitutional checks (restraints) by the other branches Judicial Review: Power of the courts to determine whether the action of the government is constitutional Federalism: division of power among a central government and several regional governments SECTION 2

Other Ch. 3 terms to know Veto Unconstitutional Amendment Formal Amendment Executive Agreement Treaty Electoral College Cabinet Senatorial Courtesy Articles Preamble SECTION 3

The Constitution Begins with preamble: Preamble: introduction to the constitution. Followed by seven number sections called articles. Article 1: Legislative Branch Article 2: Executive Branch Article 3: Judicial Branch Article 4: Relations among states Article 5: Amending the Constitution Article 6: Constitution is nation’s supreme law Article 7: Ratifying the Constitution Followed by 27 Amendments SECTION 4

Formal and Informal Amendments What are the different ways to formally amend, or change the wording of, the Constitution? How many times has the Constitution been amended? I What is the Bill of Rights? SECTION 5

Amending the Constitution The Constitution provides for its own amendment. Two types: Formal Informal SECTION 6

Formal Amendment Process There are 27: They are actual changes or additions to the written constitution The four different ways SECTION 7

Amendments to the Constitution Bill of Rights. First 10 Amendments of Constitution SECTION 8

Informal Amendment Processes Informal amendment is the process by which over time many changes have been made in the Constitution which have not involved any changes in its written word. (Interpretation) The informal amendment process can take place by: 1. ) the passage of basic legislation by Congress by passing laws (ex: 2. ) actions taken by the President; 3. ) key decisions of the Supreme Court; 4. ) the activities of political parties; 5. ) custom. SECTION 9

Executive Action and Court Decisions Executive Action Presidential actions have produced a number of important informal amendments, such as the use of the military under the power of commander in chief. An executive agreement is a pact made by the President directly with the head of a foreign state. Treaty: formal agreement between nations. Court Decisions The nation’s courts, most importantly the United States Supreme Court, interpret and apply the Constitution in many cases they hear. SECTION 10