US Constitution Topics PDF

PREAMBLE – describes the purpose of the Constitution ARTICLES – the body of the Constitution describes the structure of the Federal government and how changes can be made AMENDMENTS – changes to the Constitution Preamble – Lays out ideals Article 1-Congress Article 2-President Article 3-Supreme Cour...

PREAMBLE – describes the purpose of the Constitution ARTICLES – the body of the Constitution describes the structure of the Federal government and how changes can be made AMENDMENTS – changes to the Constitution Preamble – Lays out ideals Article 1-Congress Article 2-President Article 3-Supreme Court Article 4-Relations Among the States Article 5-Provisions for Amendment Article 6-Public Debts, Supremacy of National Law Article 7-Ratification of Constitution Amendments Constitution Rap Consent of the Governed – “We the People” Popular Sovereignty (Social Contract Theory) What Would John Locke Say? Song John Locke Six goals of the Constitution Contained in the Preamble: Perfect Union - Federal System (Federalism) stronger national government would mean a stronger union of the states and a better country Establish Justice - fairness of law enforcement, judicial system Insure domestic tranquility—peace at home Provide for the Common Defense protection from foreign attack national defense Promote the General Welfare health/wellness of all citizens Secure the Blessings of Liberty protect freedoms for future The Preamble Song generations Barney Fife: Preamble The Constitution established the U.S. as a Representative Democracy (Republic) power of the vote - reelect someone or elect someone new majority rule - more than half approve, then accepted by all minority rights must be Democracy – A Short History protected Government based on a Federal System (Federalism) - Power is shared by the Federal/National government and the individual state governments powers of the National Government apply to the whole country The Constitution and Laws of the United States are the “supreme law of the land” - The Supremacy Clause Article 6 section 2 powers of the state governments apply to their state and are protected by the 10th amendment CONCURRENT POWERS -powers that both the Federal and state governments have in common-collect taxes, borrow money, enforce laws, court system EXCLUSIVE POWERS -powers can be exercised only by the National Government to coin money, make treaties with foreign countries, tax imports, regulate interstate Shmoop Federalism Video Federalism: Crash Course commerce National government protects states from foreign invasion and domestic violence Congress may admit new states Federal Grants-in Aid - grants of federal money or other resources to states/local governments Categorical grants - some specific purpose like school lunch programs that have “strings attached” that dictate how the money may be spent Block grants-more broadly defined category with fewer strings attached Project grants - for a specific project cancer research, construction, etc. Other forms of aid to the states - FBI, equipping and training of the National Guard State aid to the National Government National elections conducted by the state, law enforcement assist the FBI, Federal and State Powers Cartoon etc. How it Happens State v. Federal INTERSTATE COMPACTS agreements among several states or states and foreign countries that must be approved by Congress (Ex. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey) FULL FAITH AND CREDIT CLAUSE – “Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other state” (Article 4 Section 1)---marriage license, civil court matters, etc. Exceptions to the Full Faith and Credit Clause-- criminal law - states must enforce their own criminal laws and sometimes divorce decrees - Williams v. North Carolina Extradition - returning a fugitive from justice in one state back to that state PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES CLAUSE - “The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.” (Article 4, Section 2, Clause 1) States may not draw unreasonable distinctions between its own residents and people who live in other states. May require a person to live within the state for a period of time in order to vote, hold public office, obtain certain licenses (medical, law, etc.) and may charge higher college tuition for out of state residents Interstate Relations Interview