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Chapter 3 The U.S. Constitution

Chapter 3 The U.S. Constitution. Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution Section 2: The Three Branches of Government Section 3: A Flexible Document. Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution. OBJECTIVES. How did the pilgrims influence the framers of the Constitution?

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Chapter 3 The U.S. Constitution

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  1. Chapter 3The U.S. Constitution Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution Section 2: The Three Branches of Government Section 3: A Flexible Document

  2. Chapter 3 Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution OBJECTIVES • How did the pilgrims influence the framers of the Constitution? • What are the goals of the U.S. government as outlined in the Constitution? • Why does the Constitution establish the powers of the federal and state governments?

  3. Chapter 3 Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution The pilgrims influenced the framers of the Constitution: November 21, 1620—The MayflowerCompact was written to create a new government of popular sovereignty for the colonists.

  4. Chapter 3 Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution Goals of the U.S. Constitution • To form a more perfect union • Establish justice • Insure domestic tranquility • Provide for the common defense • Promote the general welfare • Secure the blessings of liberty

  5. Chapter 3 Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution The Constitution establishes federal and state powers. • Delegated powers give the federal government strength to protect and serve the country. • Reserved powers are kept for the states to manage their own affairs and to balance the power of the federal government. • Concurrent powers are held by both state and federal governments.

  6. Chapter 3 Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution The Constitution establishes federal and state powers. (continued) • The federal government is “the supreme law of the land” that all states must defer to. • Limited government checks the powers of the federal and state governments. • The Bill of Rights protects the powers of the people.

  7. Chapter 3 Section 2: The Three Branches of Government OBJECTIVES • Why does the Constitution provide for the separation of powers? • What are the main responsibilities of each of the three branches of government? • How does the system of checks and balances work?

  8. Chapter 3 Section 2: The Three Branches of Government The Constitution provides for the separation of powers. • Ensures no person or branch of government is too powerful • Distributes power among three branches of government: • Legislative • Judicial • Executive

  9. Chapter 3 Section 2: The Three Branches of Government Responsibilities of the three branches of government: • Legislative—the lawmaking branch • Executive—executes the country’s laws • Judicial—interprets laws and punishes law breakers

  10. Chapter 3 Section 2: The Three Branches of Government The system of checks and balances: • Each branch has powers no other branch can assume. • Each branch has powers that limit the powers of the other branches.

  11. Chapter 3 Section 3: A Flexible Document OBJECTIVES • Why is the Constitution called a living document? • How has the flexibility of the Constitution benefited the United States? • How are amendments to the Constitution proposed and passed?

  12. Chapter 3 Section 3: A Flexible Document The Constitution is a living document. • It was designed to adapt to a growing, changing nation. • There are three ways the Constitution can be adapted to changing needs: • Amendment—a written change to the Constitution • Interpretation—when the Constitution is interpreted in a new way • Custom—traditions often referred of as the “unwritten Constitution”

  13. Chapter 3 Section 3: A Flexible Document The flexible Constitution benefits the United States. • The government adapts to the changing conditions and needs of the country. • The people can repeal constitutional amendments if necessary. • Minimum wage laws are an example of flexible interpretation of the Constitution.

  14. Chapter 3 Section 3: A Flexible Document Amendments to the Constitution • Proposal by two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress, or by two thirds of state legislatures calling for a national convention to propose the amendment • The proposal must be ratified by three fourths of the states. • Proposals may be sent to the state legislatures or to state conventions for ratification. • Approved amendments may be repealed by new amendments.

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