U.S. ConstitutionPage 1 Page 2

U.S. ConstitutionPage 3 Page 4

Section 3.1 – A Blueprint for Government

A. Governing After A Revolution 1. The Framers strived for a long–lasting nation by creating a stable

government.

a. They were aware of the successes and failures of previous civilizations; such as Ancient Greece and Rome.

I. Goals of the Constitution

B. Addressing the Problems of Governing1. The Framers believed that a balance between rule of law and

protecting individual freedoms was essential.

a. John Locke believed that laws are required to maintain order in society.

I. Goals of the Constitution

Rule of Law

Individual Freedoms

A. The Constitution is the Blueprint 1. The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution

a. It serves as the “introduction” to the Constitution and sets six broad goals for the new government.

II. Principles of Government in the Constitution

The Preamble

A. The Constitution is the Blueprint (continued)2. The 7 Articles of the U.S. Constitution:

a. Article I – Legislative Branchb. Article II – Executive Branchc. Article III – Judicial Branchd. Article IV – The individual statese. Article V – The Amendment Processf. Article VI – The Federal Governmentg. Article VII – The Ratification Process

3. The 27 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution: a. Amendments 1–10 are the Bill of Rights. b. Only 17 Amendments have been added since 1791.

II. Principles of Government in the Constitution

A. Popular Sovereignty – The people establish government and are the ultimate source of its power.1. The Framers chose to create a republic rather than a democracy in order to

limit the influence of factions.

a. A faction is a group of citizens, united by a common interest, that may try to limit or restrict the rights of other citizens in order to advance their own interests.

III. Popular Sovereignty

Citizens exercise popular sovereignty by voting for

elected officials.

A. Limited Government – The principle that the powers and functions of government are restricted by the U.S. Constitution.1. It includes rule of law; meaning all members of society must obey the law.

a. No citizen is “above the law” (not even the president).

2. The Constitution and Bill of Rights prohibit the federal government (and state governments) from violating citizens’ rights.

IV. Limited Government

A. Separation of Powers – The principle that a government’s duties are evenly divided among three separate branches.1. Legislative – consists of the law–making body

2. Executive – carrying out and enforcing the laws

3. Judicial – interpreting the laws and maintaining order

V. Separation of Powers

Judicial Branch Legislative Branch Executive Branch

Separation of Powers

Three separate branches of government operate independently and each carry out specific duties.

A. Checks and Balances – A principle of government which gives one branch the ability to change or cancel the actions of another branch of government. 1. The Framers put this system in place to

ensure that no one branch would become too powerful and prevent tyranny.

2. The three branches have a rock–paper–scissors relationship in order to limit each other’s powers.

3. The most common example of checks and balances is a presidential veto.

a.

VI. Checks and Balances

Example: The president (executive branch) has the ability to veto, or reject, any law passed by Congress (legislative branch).

Checks and Balances

Checks and balances prevent one branch from gaining too much power.

A. Judicial Review – The power held by the Supreme Court to determine whether the laws or actions of the legislative and executive branches are constitutional.1. If laws or executive actions are declared unconstitutional, then they

immediately become invalid and are reversed.

2. It was established in Marbury v. Madison (1803).

3. The Supreme Court acts as the referee to determine whether government actions violate the U.S. Constitution.

VII. Judicial Review

Upon Further Review… The Law is Good!!! No…wait….there was a flag on the play.

Sometimes even the judges disagree on the constitutionality of the law!!

A. Federalism – Our government’s powers are distributed and shared between the federal (national) government and state governments.

1. The Supremacy Clause states that the federal government is superior to state (and local) governments.

2. The Necessary and Proper Clause allows Congress to create any law which shall be “necessary and proper” for Congress to carry out it’s responsibilities.

3. The 10th Amendment grants all powers not given to the federal government (or denied to the state governments) to the states.

a. These powers are known as reserved powers.

VIII. Federalism

“The Constitution and the laws of the United States…..shall be the supreme law of the land…..”

“Congress shall have the power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution of [its] powers…..”

“The Powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited to it by the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.”

One Federal Government

50 State Governments

Thousands of Local/County Governments

Federalism

Federalism is the sharing of power between the federal (national) government and the state governments