Name: ______________________________!

Mod: ________
Date: _______________________________! U2.LP5.Structure of the Constitution

Warm-Up
Match the definitions with the correct words.

_____ 1. Popular Sovereignty
_____ 2. Individual Rights
_____ 3. Limited Government
_____ 4. Consent of the Governed
_____ 5. Majority Rule
_____ 6. Rule of Law
_____ 7. Judicial Review
_____ 8. Separation of Powers
_____ 9. Checks and Balances
_____ 10. Federalism
A. The concept that nobody is above the law
B. When government doesnʼt have all the power
C. When the Courts declare actions of Congress illegal
D. This creates the three branches of government
E. When one branch tries to limit the power of another
F. When states and national government share power
G. When over half of the people get their way
H. The concept that people rule
I. When majority rules, but we still protect all people
J. Government receives its power from the people

Critical Reading
Read the following questions and then read the text below. Use the text to answer the questions.

1. Why did the Americans decide to draft the Constitution?

_____________________________________________________________________________
2. What does the constitution allow the government to do? Summarize in one sentence.

_____________________________________________________________________________
3. Name one thing the national government has the power to do.

_____________________________________________________________________________

We have already discussed that the Americans created a confederate government (a loose union
of states) under the Articles of Confederation, because they feared the unitary system (central
power) that they had been oppressed by under the rule of King George in Britain. Unfortunately,
they soon discovered that they were weak with the states in charge, and recognized that they
needed a stronger central (or national) government. Therefore, the Constitution was drafted. The
Constitution:
• defines and limits the power of the national government,
• defines the relationship between the national and individual state governments, and
• guarantees the rights of the citizens of the United States.

Sharing power between the national government and state governments allows us to enjoy the
benefits of diversity and unity. For example, the national government may set a uniform currency
system. Could you imagine having 50 different types of coins, each with a different value? You
would need to take along a calculator to go shopping in another state. By setting up a national
policy, the system is fair to everyone and the states do not have to bear the heavy burden of
regulating their currency.

In contrast, issues such as the death penalty have been left up to the individual states. The
decision whether or not to have a death penalty, depends on that stateʼs history, needs, and
philosophies.
 Intro to New Material
Main Idea Supporting Details

Federalism in the • Federalism was the compromise between people who didnʼt like the
Constitution _______________________ system, and those who feared a
_______________________ government.
• The Constitution states the powers of the national governmentʼs
_______________________ branch.
• All other powers are maintained by the _______________________.

• _______________________ powers outline what national government

Delegated Powers has control over
• There are ______ specific powers. Some are:
• Regulate interstate and international trade,
_______________________, Declare war, Maintain an armed
forces, Establish a _______________________, Enforce
_______________________, and Sign treaties

Reserved Powers • To reserve is _______________________, in this case all powers not

specifically delegated to the Federal Government are to be
_______________________ or saved for the State Governments.
• There are a TON of powers saved for states:
• Regulate intrastate trade, ______________________________,
Establish local governments, Pass statewide laws (ex. safety belt
laws), _______________________________ and more

Concurrent • Concurrent means "_______________________________", in this case

Powers concurrent powers are those that both ___________________________
_________________________________ have simultaneously
• Examples of these powers are:
• Power to ______________ and ______________
• Maintain ______________
• Borrow ______________
• Make ______________

Denied Powers • These are powers that are are specifically __________ allowed to either
the federal or state governments.
• The listing of denied powers was a specific way in which the founding
fathers attempted to create a __________________________________.
• This also promoted _____________________________________.

Implied Powers • These are the powers ___________________________________ in the

Constitution.
• Instead we imply, or _______________________, that the federal
government can do certain things.
• The basis for implied powers is the ______________________
______________, which says Congress shall have the power to do what
is _____________________ and __________________.
! Delegated Powers! Implied Powers
Declare War

Collect Taxes

Establish Post Offices

Establish Naturalization (Immigration) Laws

GP and IP: Instructions

You will work individually;

You must listen carefully for your instructions;
! ! You will read/hear a brief scenario;
! ! You must identify the Constitutional Power that would address the problem(s);
! ! You must identify which level of government has that power.

GP: The Scenario

Scenario Questions

1. North Korea has just tested
nuclear weapons. We are afraid
that they have the power to send
missiles across the Pacific
Ocean.
1. Which level of government would respond to this?
2. Which Constitutional Power would this level of government be
exercising?

3. Why is it a good thing that this level of government has this

power? Describe in two sentences.

Scenario Questions

2. The State of Maryland 1. Which level of government would respond to this?

realizes that kids donʼt have
basic skills when they graduate.
To solve this problem they 2. Which Constitutional Power would this level of government be
institute a mandatory test for exercising?
graduation.

3. Why is it a good thing that this level of government has this

power? Describe in two sentences.
 Scenario Questions

3. We have recently discovered 1. Which level of government would respond to this?

that there has been a surge, or
increase, in the legal immigrant
population of the United States. 2. Which Constitutional Power would this level of government be
To solve this problem they set a exercising?
cap on the number of people
that can come from each
country. 3. Why is it a good thing that this level of government has this
power? Describe in two sentences.

Scenario Questions

4. The United States has seen a 1. Which level of government would respond to this?
rise in crime nationwide. The
State of Maryland has been at
the heart of this increase, 2. Which Constitutional Power would this level of government be
accounting for a majority of the exercising?
crimes being committed.
Because of all these criminals,
there is a need for more courts 3. Why is it a good thing that this level of government has this
to provide trials to the accused power? Describe in two sentences.
individuals.

Scenario Questions

5. Due to the large achievement 1. Do the states or national government have the power to enact
gap in the United States, a law such as this?
Congress is currently debating
whether or not to arrest
individuals who drop out of high 2. Which Constitutional Power does this relate to?
school, even if they are above
18 years of age.
3. Why is it a good thing that neither level of government has
this power? Describe in two sentences.

Now, pay close attention to the directions on the board.