Transcript Principles of Constitution

The Principles of the United States Constitution
Ch. 3 Section 1
Monday October 5, 2015
I. Popular Sovereignty
 The people hold the ultimate authority
 A representative democracy lets the people
elect leaders to make decisions for them.
 Wa. elected officials to
Congress
 Sen. Patty Murray,
 Sen. Maria Cantwell, and
 Congressman Denny Heck
II. Limited Government
 Framers wanted to guard against tyranny
Government is limited to the power given them in the
Const..
 The Constitution tells how leaders who overstep their
power can be removed
• Impeachment: accused by the House of Rep
• Removal from office: Trial – 2/3 Conviction by Senate
III. Federalism
 The division of power between State and National Governments
 Delegated Powers: IN Constitution assigned to National Gov’t
– Ex. Currency, Military, War
 Reserved Powers: NOT in Constitution left for states
– Ex. Education, Marriage/Divorce, Corporations
Concurrent Powers: Shared between National and State Gov’ts.
Ex. Taxation
ARTICLE VI: National Gov’t Supreme
The Principles of the United States Constitution
Ch. 3 Section 1
Tuesday, October 6
 Monday Review: 3 Principles
– Popular Sovereignty
– Limited Government
– Federalism
IV. Separation of Powers
(Each Level)
 No one holds “too much” power
 Legislative branch makes the laws
 Executive branch carries out the laws
 Judicial branch interprets the laws
Legislative Branch
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Senate and House of Representatives
Make our laws
Appropriate Money
Regulate Immigration
Establish Post Offices and Roads
Regulate Interstate
Commerce and
Transportation
 Declare War
Executive Branch
 The President of the United States 5 roles
– Chief Executive
– Chief of State
– Chief Legislator
– Commander in Chief
– Chief Citizen
Judicial Branch
 Supreme Court (1) Nine justices Washington D.C.
– Circuit Courts of Appeals (13) S.F.
– District Courts (94) Downtown Tacoma- Trial courts
 Protect the rights guaranteed by the Constitution
 Considers cases involving national laws
V. Checks and Balances
 Prevents the abuse of power in government
 Each branch can check each other branch
Executive Checks
 Propose laws to Congress
 Veto laws made by
Congress
 Negotiate foreign treaties
 Appoint federal judges
 Grant pardons to federal
offenders
Legislative Checks
 Override president’s veto
 Ratify treaties
 Confirm executive appointments
 Impeach federal officers and judges
 Create and dissolve lower federal courts
VI. Judicial Review (Judicial Check)
 Declare executive acts unconstitutional
 Declare laws unconstitutional
 Declare acts of Congress unconstitutional
 The Supreme Court holds the FINAL
CHECK
Result
 Complex Gov’t: sometimes accused of
moving slowly
 Gov’t survived 225 years plus
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civil war
world wars
economic disasters
social change
FUTURE?????????