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Mayflower Compact
First guidelines for self government in English colonies
We the people
Appears in the preamble of the United States
Introduction that explains why the US constitution was
written
6 Goals of Constitution
Form More Perfect Union
New government should be better than the Union created
under the Articles of Confederation
Establish Justice
Government should make laws and establish a system of
courts that is fair to all
6 Goals of Constitution
Provide for Common Defense
The government should work to protect the country from
its enemies
Levels of Government
National/Federal Government
Top layer of government Makes laws that govern the whole country
State Government
2nd layer of government Each state has authority only over the people who live
within the state Each state has its own capital, constitution, and state officials
Government Powers
Federal Government Powers
The powers the constitution specifically gives to the
federal government are called DELEGATED POWERS
Government Powers
The federal and state governments also share many
powers CONCURRENT POWERS
Branches of Government
To shield against tyranny, the framers created separate
branches of the federal government One branch would write laws Another would carry out the laws And another would interpret the laws
Legislative Branch
Article I of Constitution creates the US Congress as the
Legislative Branch
Lawmaking arm of the federal government Congress controls money for the national government
Executive Branch
Established by Article II of Constitution
Judicial Branch
Described relatively little in Article III of Constitution
Amendment Process
An amendment is a written change made to the
Constitution
Amendment Process
Can be proposed in 2 ways
Congress can propose an amendment by a 2/3 vote in
both houses The legislature of 2/3 of the states 34 out of 50 can ask Congress to call a national convention to propose an amendment
Amendment Ratification
There are 2 ways an amendment may be ratified
The proposed amendment can be sent to the state
legislatures for approval. *all but 1 amendment have been approved this way The proposed amendment can be sent to state conventions for consideration