The Constitution and Its Parts

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Section 3-3
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Section 3-4
The Constitution and Its Parts

• The main purpose of the Constitution is to
  provide a framework for government, but it is
  also the highest authority in the nation. ?

• The powers of all branches come from it. It has
  three main parts the Preamble, seven articles,
  and amendments. ?
• The Preamble states the goals and purposes of
  government. ?
• The first part makes clear that government gets
  its power from the people and exists to serve
  them.

(pages 8285)
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Section 3-5
The Constitution and Its Parts (cont.)

• The Preamble states six purposes ?

To form a more perfect Union ? To establish
Justice ? To insure domestic Tranquility
? To provide for the common defense ? To
promote the general Welfare ? To secure the
Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our
Posterity
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Section 3-5
The Constitution and Its Parts (cont.)

• The articles explain how government is to work. ?

• The first three articles describe the powers and
  responsibilities of the three branches of
  government.

(pages 8285)
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Section 3-6
The Constitution and Its Parts (cont.)

• Article I describes the legislative branch as two
  houses with lawmaking authority. ?

• It then describes how members will be chosen. ?
• The article also lists specific powers Congress
  does and does not have. ?
• Article II establishes the executive, or
  law-enforcing, branch headed by a president and
  vice president. ?
• It explains how these leaders will be elected and
  can be removed and describes their powers and
  duties.

(pages 8285)
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Section 3-7
The Constitution and Its Parts (cont.)

• Article III establishes the judicial branch to
  interpret and apply the laws. ?

• It calls for one Supreme Court plus lower courts
  and describes the powers of federal courts.

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Section 3-8
The Constitution and Its Parts (cont.)

• Article IV says that all states must respect one
  anothers laws and explains the process of
  creating new states. ?

• Article V specifies how the Constitution can be
  amended. ?
• Article VI declares that the Constitution is the
  supreme Law of the Land and federal law
  prevails over state law. ?
• Article VII states that the Constitution would
  take effect when nine states ratify it.

(pages 8285)
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8
Section 3-9
The Constitution and Its Parts (cont.)
What are some powers that Article I grants to
Congress?
Article I says that Congress will have all
lawmaking authority. It also gives Congress the
power to collect taxes, regulate foreign and
interstate trade, coin money, and declare war.
(pages 8285)
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9
Section 3-10
Amending the Constitution

• An amendment is any change to the Constitution. ?

• The first 10 amendments are the Bill of Rights. ?
• The Sixteenth Amendment allows Congress to
  collect an income taxa tax on peoples earnings.
  ?
• The Framers made sure that the Constitution
  could not be altered without overwhelming support
  of the people. ?
• Only 27 amendments have become law.

(pages 8586)
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Section 3-11
Amending the Constitution (cont.)

• The amendment process involves two steps
  proposal and ratification. ?

• An amendment may be proposed by a vote of
  two-thirds of both houses of Congress or by a
  national convention requested by two-thirds of
  the state legislatures. ?
• Once proposed, an amendment must be ratified by
  three-fourths of the states. ?
• The states can do this by a vote of either the
  state legislature or a special state convention.

(pages 8586)
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Section 3-12
Amending the Constitution (cont.)
Why did the Framers make the amendment process
difficult?
After months of debate and compromise, the
Framers knew how delicately balanced the
Constitution was. Changing even a small detail
could have dramatic effects throughout the
government. They wanted to make sure the
Constitution could not be altered without the
overwhelming support of the people.
(pages 8586)
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12
Section 3-13
Interpreting the Constitution

• The Constitution is a general document and open
  to interpretation. ?

• Article I gives Congress the power to make all
  Laws which shall be necessary and proper to
  carry out its duties. ?
• This necessary and proper clause allows Congress
  to exercise implied powers not specifically
  listed in the Constitution.

(pages 8687)
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Section 3-14
Interpreting the Constitution (cont.)

• Americans disagree on what laws are necessary
  and proper. ?

• Loose interpreters believe Congress can make any
  laws not specifically forbidden. ?
• Strict interpreters believe Congress can make
  only the kinds of laws mentioned by the
  Constitution. ?
• The Supreme Court has the final authority on
  interpreting the Constitution. ?
• Each new interpretation, whether strict or loose,
  changes our government.

(pages 8687)
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Section 3-15
Interpreting the Constitution (cont.)

• Actions by Congress and the president have also
  caused new interpretations. ?

• For example, the president requests legislation
  from Congress. ?
• This action is not directed by the Constitution.
  ?
• Custom also changes the interpretation of the
  Constitution. ?
• For example, political parties, not mentioned in
  the Constitution, are part of todays political
  system.

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Section 3-16
Interpreting the Constitution (cont.)
When William Henry Harrison died in office, Vice
President John Tyler took the oath as president.
Why was this action an interpretation of the
Constitution?
In this situation, the Constitution was not clear
about whether the vice president should become
president or merely act as president until the
next election. When Tyler took the oath, he
interpreted the Constitution to mean that he
should become president. Later the Twenty-fifth
Amendment made his action officially part of the
Constitution.
(pages 8687)
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16
Section 3-17
Checking for Understanding
Define Match the terms on the right with their
definitions on the left.
C
__ 1. the first 10 amendments __ 2. a tax on
peoples earnings __ 3. the opening section of
the Constitution __ 4. any change in the
Constitution
A. Preamble B. amendment C. Bill of Rights
D. income tax
D
A
B
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17
Section 3-18
Checking for Understanding (cont.)
Identify What is the purpose of the Preamble to
the U.S. Constitution?
It states the goals and purposes of the
government.
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Section 3-19
Checking for Understanding (cont.)
Describe In what two ways can an amendment to
the U.S. Constitution be ratified? How are the
states involved in these processes?
An amendment requires the approval by
three-fourths of state legislatures or
three-fourths of ratifying state conventions.
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19
Section 3-20
Critical Thinking
Evaluating Information Which part of the
Constitution do you think is the most important?
Explain your answer.
Answers will vary.
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Section 3-21
Analyzing Visuals
Compare and Contrast Review the chart that
compares the Articles of Confederation and the
U.S. Constitution on page 84 of your textbook.
How did Congress differ under both forms of
government?
Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress
could not tax, regulate commerce, nor confirm
presidential appointments.
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Section 3-22
Close
Did the Framers of the Constitution succeed in
balancing the power among the three branches of
government, or does one branch actually have more
power than the others do?