Chapter 4.3 A More Perfect Union

The U.S. Constitution:

Foundations of American

Democracy

Introduction to the Constitution

●Written in 1787 at the Constitutional Convention

●Replaced the Articles of Confederation

●Establishes the framework for U.S. government

●World's oldest written national constitution still in use

Organization of the Constitution

●Preamble: States purpose and goals

●7 Articles: Main structure and powers

●27 Amendments: Added changes and rights

●Article I: Legislative Branch

●Article II: Executive Branch

●Article III: Judicial Branch

Multiple Choice

What are the three branches of government established by the Constitution?

• Executive, Judicial, Military

• Legislative, Executive, Judicial

• Congress, Senate, House

• Federal, State, Local

Democratic Principle: Separation of Powers

●Each branch has distinct responsibilities

●Prevents concentration of power

●Legislative: Makes laws

●Executive: Enforces laws

●Judicial: Interprets laws

Democratic Principle: Checks and Balances

●Each branch can limit powers of others

●Examples:

●President can veto laws

●Congress can override vetoes

●Supreme Court can rule laws unconstitutional

●Senate confirms presidential appointments

Open Ended

What is the definition of checks and balances in our government system?

Democratic Principle: Individual Rights

●Bill of Rights (First 10 Amendments)

●Protects fundamental freedoms

●Freedom of speech, religion, press

●Right to bear arms

●Protection against unreasonable search and seizure

Multiple Choice

What document specifically protects individual rights?

• Declaration of Independence

• Articles of Confederation

• Bill of Rights

• Federalist Papers

Articles of Confederation vs. Constitution

●Articles (1781-1789):

●Weak central government

●No executive branch

●No national court system

●States retained sovereignty

●Unanimous consent needed for changes

Open Ended

What was one of the major weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation in comparison to the US Constitution?

Constitution's Improvements

●Strong federal government

●Three-branch system

●Power to tax and regulate trade

●Federal court system

●Two-house Congress

●Executive leadership

Question #5

Under the Constitution, who has the power to collect taxes?

●A) Only state governments

●B) Federal government

●C) Both federal and state governments

●D) Neither government

Multiple Choice

Under the Constitution, who has the power to collect taxes?

• Only state governments

• Federal government

• Both federal and state governments

• Neither government

Limited Government and Consent

●Government powers defined and limited

●Power derives from the people

●Regular elections

●Constitutional amendments possible

●States retain certain powers

Question #6

Which best describes "consent of the governed"?

●A) The president choosing cabinet members

●B) Supreme Court making decisions

●C) People choosing their representatives through voting

●D) Congress passing federal laws

Review and Key Points

●Constitution replaced Articles of Confederation

●Establishes three branches of government

●Incorporates democratic principles

●Protects individual rights

●Creates federal system

●Limits government power