Constitution Essential Principles and Vocabulary.

Constitution

Essential Principles and Vocabulary

Consent of the Governed: Our Foundation

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-pDcYF64rs&feature=youtu.be

• Define in your own words: Consent of the Governed.

Congress

Bicameral Legislature•House of Representatives based on population•435 total today•Elected every two years

• Senate• 2 from each state• 100 today• Originally chosen by

State Legislatures• Elected today• Serve 6 years

Representative Government

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVD0bZ5H4MY&list=UUEaVYnwbWa6Jzu1xfqk3RQg&index=18

• Constitutional Republic, not a direct democracy

• Question: Why is direct democracy a possible threat to the people’s rights?

Federalism

• Power is divided between the National or Federal Government and the States

Powers

• Reserved Powers (STATES)

• powers that the Constitution does not give to the national government that are kept by the states

• Concurrent Powers(SHARED)

• Powers Shared by both the Federal and State Governments

Other Powers

• Enumerated or Delegated Powers(FEDERAL OR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT)

• These are the powers of Congress specifically outlined in the Constitution

• Elastic clauseCongress shall have the Power...

To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.

This has been also called the "necessary and proper clause.“

• Congress can pass laws which enable it to carry out its powers.

The Rule of Law

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0MTEm2a7PA

Legal Terms

• quorum • minimum number of

members present - needed to do official business

• Precedent• An example for future

courts or people to follow.

• writ of habeas corpus

• legal order to present a jailed person in front of a judge to be charged with a crime or released from jail

More Legal Terms

• bill of attainder• law that condemns a

person without a trial in court

• ex post facto law• law that would make

an act a criminal offense AFTER it was committed

Taking Sides

• Anti-federalists• those who opposed

the ratification of the Constitution and a stronger National Government

• Federalists• Those who support

ratification of the Constitution and want a stronger National Government.

Other Words

• ratification – formal approval

• veto – NO – the president refuses to sign a bill into law

• extradition – return of the accused to the state where the crime took place

• impeachment – formal accusal of wrongdoing of a public office

• suffrage – right to vote

Interpretation of the Constitution

• Loose Constructionist• Broadly interprets the

Constitution and infers powers.

• Increases the power of the Federal Government

• Alexander Hamilton

• Strict Constructionist• Wants to limit the

power of the federal Government to those powers explicitly stated in the Constitution

• Thomas Jefferson

Separation of Powers

• No one branch of government is all powerful.

• Legislative Branch: Makes the Law.

• Executive Branch: Enforces the Law

• Judicial Branch: Interprets the Law

• Checks and Balances: Keeps one Branch from assuming too much power.

Separation Of Powers

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnqk-yGzYYg&feature=youtu.be

Presidential Cabinet

• Cabinet• A group of advisors to

the president• Order of Secession• Vice-President,

Speaker of the House, President Pro-Tempore, Cabinet members in order of creation