The Constitution

Basic Principles

Outline of the Constitution

Basic Principles upon which our Government was built 7,000 words, Three parts A Living Document
Can be amended (changed)
Formally and Informally

Living Document
Formal Amendments
Actual changes to the Constitution Add an amendment 28 formal amendments Amended 18 times Includes the Bill of Rights

Living Document
Informal Amendments
Changes in the interpretation Helps clarify what is stated 5 methods 1. Basic Legislation 2. Executive Actions 3. Supreme Court Decisions 4. Customs and Traditions 5. Party Practices

How it is Organized
3 parts
Preamble = Introduction, SIX Goals of our Government Articles = 7 sections, outline our Government Amendments = Bill of Rights + changes that have been made to the Constitution

Articles
Article I = Legislative Branch Article II = Executive Branch Article III = Judicial Branch Article IV = Relations Among States Article V = Amending the Constitution Article VI = National Debts, Supremacy of National Law, Oaths of Office Article VII = Ratifying the Constitution

The Basic Principals

Popular Sovereignty
Political Power resides with the People Power to the People National Government draws its power from the people State Governments (same)

Limited Government
Government can only do things that the people have given it power to do Government must obey the Law (Constitutionalism) Rule of Law = Government is always subject and never above the law

Separation of Powers
Powers are divided among the 3 branches of Government

Checks and Balances

Each branch can check both other branches Example Presidential veto power

Limits one branch from becoming too powerful

Judicial Review
Power given to the Supreme Court Determines if the Government is acting on the basis of the Constitution Established by Marbury v. Madison in 1803

Federalism
Division of power among a central Government and several local Governments Shared Power between the National Government and the State and local Governments