The Constitution
Representatio
n
Virginia Plan
The more population you have the more representatives you
have
House of Representatives
New Jersey Plan
All states have the same amount of representation
Senate
Connecticut Plan (Great Compromise)
Bicameral legislation
House of Reps and Senate
Major Themes
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Limited Majority Rule
Federalism
Separation of Powers
We believed in Hobbes- All Men are Self Serving
However we didnt want his type of Government (unitary)
Or another Confederation
So we created a Central government with power divided
in 3 separate Branches
Federalist 51
Ambition must be made to counteract Ambition
Philosophy Behind it
The House has specific powers
The Senate Has specific powers
The Legislative branch has specific powers
The Executive Branch has specific powers
The Judicial Branch has Specific Powers
States have specific powers
Separation of Powers
Article One
House of Representatives (Section 2)
2 year terms
Elected Directly by the people
2 Specific Powers (Theme-Will of the People)
Impeach the President
Originate all Revenue Bills
Why were these specific powers given only to the House?
Legislative
Senate (Section 3)
6 year terms- Voted on by state legislatures
17th amendment instituted direct election of Senators
Terms were staggered so that appointments would expire every
2 years
Three Specific Powers (Theme- Limit Majority Rule)
Ratify Treaties
Approve Appointments
Conduct Trial after Impeachment
Senate
ARTICLE 1 SECTION 8
Making Laws
Specific powers granted to Congress
17 specific powers
Many contain key provisions denied to the Government under the
Articles of Confederation
Power to Tax
Regulate Commerce
Coin Money
Declare War
Enumerated Powers
Final paragraph of the Article One
To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper
Has been a tremendous source of expansion of
congressional activity never anticipated by the Framers
Environment , Welfare, Education, and Communication
Elastic Clause or Necessary
and Proper
Gave the Authority to Execute the laws of the nation
Section 1- Set Term Limit, Qualifications and Defined the
Electoral College
Limits Majority Rule
What powers would you give the president?
Executive Branch
What group led to a swift adoption of the bill of rights
What was the main argument between the Federalists and
Anti-Federalists
List one way Madison suggests to limit the excess of a
Faction
List 3 powers of the President
What article of the Constitution deals with relationship
between the States? (Full Faith and Credit Clause)
Quiz
TO ENFORCE THE LAWS
Foreign
Domestic
President is Commander and Chief of our
Army. Wage War
Veto Laws
Write Treaties
Pardon Criminals
Formal Powers of the
President
Appoint Foreign Ambassadors
Call a special session of congress
State of the Union
Appoint Judges and Civil Officers
Establishes one Supreme Court and leaves Congress with the
decision to establish other inferior courts
What about Judicial Review?
No explicitly stated but it is
implied in the text
Extending all cases, in law, and equity arising under the
Constitution and laws of the United States (Section 2)
INTERPRETING LAWS
Judicial Branch
Article 3
The Judicial Branch derives most of its power, not from the
Constitution, but from a Court Case
Marbury vs. Madison
Establishes Judicial Review
While Judicial Review is not in the Constitution, the AP Board
does acknowledge it is a Constitutional provision
Article 3
Judicial Branch
Full Faith and Credit Clause
Protect citizens of all states from State Governments
Entitled to all privileges and immunities of Citizens in the
several states(50 now)
Prison Break
Same Sex Marriage
Article 4
Both Houses of Congress must pass an amendment by
2/3rds vote
After the amendment passes in Congress it goes to the
State Legislatures.
of the State Legislatures must approve the Amendment
for it to pass.
The President has no formal part in Amending the
Constitution
Article 5
How to Amend the Constitution
This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which
shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or
which shall be made, under the authority of the United States,
shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every
state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or
laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.
Article VI
Supremacy Clause
