What is the structure of the U. S.

Constitution?

The Constitution contains a Preamble, 7 articles, and 27 Amendments.

 What principles are reflected in the
U. S. Constitution?

The principles include limited government, federalism, separation of

powers in to three branches of government, checks and balances, and
individual rights.
What is the structure of the national
government?

The national government is composed of three branches:

-the legislative branch (Congress)
-the judicial branch (court system)
-the executive branch (Presidency)
How is the U. S. Congress structured
and what are its powers?

The Congress is composed of two part: the House of Representatives

and the Senate.
Congress gets its powers from the enumerated powers in Article 1
Section 8.
 How is the executive branch
structured and what are its powers?

The executive branch consists of the president and the vice president,
the president’s cabinet, and other regulatory agencies that enforce
laws.
 How is the judiciary structured and
what are its powers?

The judiciary consists of a Supreme Court and state courts. The

Supreme Court can determine what federal laws mean and can
overturn them if they are unconstitutional. Each state has its own
supreme court, which interprets that state’s constitution and laws.
 How do the three branches share,
check, and balance power?

Each branch has governmental powers that are unique to them.

Congress can pass bills, President can sign them into law, judiciary
(Supreme Court) can rule the law unconstitutional. President
nominates judges but must be approved by the Senate as do treaties
entered into and signed by the President. Congress can also override a
veto and impeach a President.
 What is the process for amending
the Constitution?

There are two ways to amend it. The first way is to propose an
amendment by a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate. The second
way is to propose an amendment by having two-thirds of the states ask
Congress to call a convention to debate and then vote on the proposed
amendment. After proposal, Congress chooses one of the two
methods for ratifying it. The legislatures in three-fourths of the states
can ratify it, or the states can hold special conventions and then three-
fourths of the conventions approve it.
 What rights are guaranteed in the
Bill of Rights?
-the freedom to worship as one pleases
-freedom of speech
-freedom of press
-the right to bear arms
-the right to not shelter soldiers
-the right to privacy
-the right to not incriminate oneself when accused of a crime
-the right to a speedy trial by a jury
-the right to a jury trial in federal courts to settle disputes about property worth more than
$20
-the right not to have excessive bail
 How have amendments changed
the Constitution?

Amendments have changed the Constitution structurally. They have

extended more power to government, and individual rights have been
extended.
 How has our understanding of the
Constitution changed over time?

Modern presidents often conduct foreign affairs by executive

agreement rather than treaty, as specified in the Constitution.
Presidents also request legislation more aggressively than in the past.
Courts have also interpreted the Constitution differently over the years.
For example, “separate but equal” facilities for African Americans were
once deemed constitutional, but are not longer thought to be so.
 How does the structure of state
governments compare to the federal
government?
Like the federal government. Every state government has three
branches—legislative, executive, and judicial.
 How does the process for amending
state constitutions compare to that of
the U. S. Constitution?
There are multiple methods for amending state constitutions. The
methods vary from state to state.
What are the expressed powers and
implied powers of the national
government?
Expressed powers are those powers granted to the government in the
Constitution.
Implied powers are those powers granted to the government to make
laws to carry out the expressed powers.
Why does the Constitution divide power
between the national and state
governments?
The Constitution does this because the national government is based
on the concept of federalism, a system in which the power is divided
between the national and state governments.
How does the Constitution divide power
between the national and state
governments?
The Constitution gives the national government certain specified
powers. All other powers are reserved to the states or to the people.
What does the national government
guarantee to the state
governments?
The national government guarantees every state a democratic form of
government and will protect each state from invasion as well as against
domestic violence. The national government also will respect territorial
integrity of each state.
 What obligations do the state
governments have to the national
government?
State and local governments conduct and pay for elections of all
national government officials and play a key role in the process of
amending the Constitution, as three-fourths of the states must approve
an amendment.
 What role has the Supreme Court
played in settling disputes between the
federal and state governments?
The Supreme Court has held that when the national government and a
state government come into conflict, the national government is
supreme.
 What does extradite mean? Why does
the Constitution require states to
comply with the extradition requests
from other states?
Extradite means to return to a state a criminal or fugitive who flees
across state lines. Under the Constitution, states must honor other
states’ laws and court orders, even if their own laws are different.
 Under federalism, what powers are
held by state governments?
State governments have the power to regulate and promote business,
protecting life and property, promoting education, health, and welfare.
States also protect the environment, and have the freedom to settle its
own laws, regulations, taxes, criminal codes, and budget priorities.
 How do states cooperate and
resolve conflicts with one another?

States may enter into an interstate compact, which is a written

agreement approved by Congress.
 What are different political parties’
views on the proper balance of power
between national and state
governments?
Republican Party members, Tea Party members, and Libertarians
believe the Constitution sets clear limits on the power of the national
government.

The Democratic Party members and progressives believe that the

Constitution confirms the Founders’ belief in the need for a strong
national government.
 Why does federalism increase
opportunities for political
participation?
Federalism allows a citizen to choose to run for local office, to lobby the
state government, or to campaign for a candidate for national office.