Chapter 3

 

Read the Preamble to the Constitution

 

The Six Basic Principles of the

U.S. Constitution

 

1) Popular Sovereignty

2) Limited Government

3) Separation of Powers

4) Checks and Balances

5) Judicial Review

6) Federalism

 

 

Powers Delegated or Expressed for the National Government are spelled out in the Constitution. Eg found in Article I

"Congress has the power to tax and to regulate trade".

 

The National Government has power Implied through interpretation of the Constitution. Eg the Elastic Clause

 

Powers that are not granted to the Federal Government are Reserved for the States. Eg License Fees

 

 

Powers that are held by both are called Concurrent Powers. Eg the building of roads, taxes, courts.

 

Inherent Powers are retained by the National Government in a world community. Eg A Treaty, acknowledgement of a country.

 

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Article I - The Legislative Branch

Article II - The Executive Branch

Article III- The Judicial Branch

 

Article IV - The States and the    Federal Government

 

Article V - Method of Amendment

 

Article VI - General Provisions

 

Article VII - The Ratification of the               Constitution

Amendments - Bill of Rights

 

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Article V         

 

Formally Amending the Constitution

 

First Method

 

Proposal: 2/3 Vote in each house

Ratification: 3/4 State legislatures (38 states today) 26 Amendments were adopted this way.

 

Second Method

 

Proposal: by Congress

Ratification:  by Conventions in 3/4

of the States. Reason : Public Opinion Eg The 21st Amendment (repeal Prohibition)

 

Third Method

 

Proposal: by a National Convention called by Congress at the request of 2/3 state legislatures.

Has never happened but an attempt was made at passing a Balanced Budget Amendment between 1975-89.  32 states asked for a convention to propose the Amendment requiring the Budget Amendment.  34 are needed.

 

 

Fourth Method

 

Proposed at National Convention and Ratified by 3/4 of the states legislatures. The Constitution was adopted this way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Amendments

 

1-10           Bill 0f Rights

 

13,14,15th     Civil War Amendments

 

15,19,23,24,26 Suffrage

 

20,22,25       Presidency

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