Download Chapter 3: The U.S. Constitution

HOLT
American Civics
Chapter 3
The U.S. Constitution
Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution
Section 2: The Three Branches of Government
Section 3: A Flexible Document
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HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
HOLT
Chapter 3
American Civics
Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution
OBJECTIVES
 How did the pilgrims influence the framers of
the Constitution?
 What are the goals of the U.S. government as
outlined in the Constitution?
 Why does the Constitution establish the
powers of the federal and state governments?
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HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
HOLT
Chapter 3
American Civics
Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution
The pilgrims influenced the framers
of the Constitution:
November 21, 1620—The Mayflower Compact
was written to create a new government of
popular sovereignty for the colonists.
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HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
HOLT
Chapter 3
American Civics
Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution
Goals of the U.S. Constitution
 To form a more perfect union
 Establish justice
 Insure domestic tranquility
 Provide for the common defense
 Promote the general welfare
 Secure the blessings of liberty
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HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
HOLT
Chapter 3
American Civics
Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution
The Constitution establishes federal
and state powers.
 Delegated powers give the federal government
strength to protect and serve the country.
 Reserved powers are kept for the states to
manage their own affairs and to balance the
power of the federal government.
 Concurrent powers are held by both state and
federal governments.
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HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
HOLT
Chapter 3
American Civics
Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution
The Constitution establishes federal
and state powers. (continued)
 The federal government is “the supreme law of
the land” that all states must defer to.
 Limited government checks the powers of the
federal and state governments.
 The Bill of Rights protects the powers of the
people.
‹#›
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
HOLT
Chapter 3
American Civics
Section 2: The Three Branches of Government
OBJECTIVES
 Why does the Constitution provide for the
separation of powers?
 What are the main responsibilities of each of
the three branches of government?
 How does the system of checks and balances
work?
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HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
HOLT
Chapter 3
American Civics
Section 2: The Three Branches of Government
The Constitution provides for the
separation of powers.
 Ensures no person or branch of government is too
powerful
 Distributes power among three branches of
government:
 Legislative
 Judicial
 Executive
‹#›
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
HOLT
Chapter 3
American Civics
Section 2: The Three Branches of Government
Responsibilities of the three
branches of government:
 Legislative—the lawmaking branch
 Executive—executes the country’s laws
 Judicial—interprets laws and punishes law
breakers
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HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
HOLT
Chapter 3
American Civics
Section 2: The Three Branches of Government
The system of checks and balances:
 Each branch has powers no other branch can
assume.
 Each branch has powers that limit the powers
of the other branches.
‹#›
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
HOLT
Chapter 3
American Civics
Section 3: A Flexible Document
OBJECTIVES
 Why is the Constitution called a living
document?
 How has the flexibility of the Constitution
benefited the United States?
 How are amendments to the Constitution
proposed and passed?
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HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
HOLT
Chapter 3
American Civics
Section 3: A Flexible Document
The Constitution is a living document.
 It was designed to adapt to a growing, changing
nation.
 There are three ways the Constitution can be adapted
to changing needs:
 Amendment—a written change to the Constitution
 Interpretation—when the Constitution is interpreted in a
new way
 Custom—traditions often referred of as the “unwritten
Constitution”
‹#›
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
HOLT
Chapter 3
American Civics
Section 3: A Flexible Document
The flexible Constitution benefits
the United States.
 The government adapts to the changing
conditions and needs of the country.
 The people can repeal constitutional
amendments if necessary.
 Minimum wage laws are an example of
flexible interpretation of the Constitution.
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HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
HOLT
Chapter 3
American Civics
Section 3: A Flexible Document
Amendments to the Constitution
 Proposal by two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress,
or by two thirds of state legislatures calling for a national
convention to propose the amendment
 The proposal must be ratified by three fourths of the
states.
 Proposals may be sent to the state legislatures or to state
conventions for ratification.
 Approved amendments may be repealed by new
amendments.
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HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON