The document describes the structure and principles of the US Constitution. It is divided into 3 parts: the Preamble, 7 articles, and 27 amendments. Power is separated into 3 branches of government to establish checks and balances. The branches are legislative, executive, and judicial. This separation of powers and the principles of federalism, judicial review, and a limited government were put in place to prevent any one group from wielding absolute power.

1. Structure and Principles
Objective- describe the structure of the
Constitution and list its parts. Explain how
and why power is separated.
Constitution USA with Peter Sagal | PBS

2. Essential Questions
1. What are the three parts of the
Constitution?
2. Why did the Framers separate power
into 3 branches?
3. Give examples of checks and
balances.

3. Structure of the Constitution
 Simple and brief
 Only contains 7,000 words
 Divided into 3 parts:
A
B
C
Preamble / Introduction
7 Articles / Chapters- Body
27 Amendments / Conclusion

4. Preamble
 The introduction to the Constitution
 States why the constitution was written
 Lists 6 goals
UNITY
JUSTICE
TRANQUILITY
DEFENSE
WELFARE
LIBERTY

5. Preamble
 The introduction to the Constitution
 States why the constitution was written
 Lists 6 goals
“We the People of the United States, in order to
form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure
domestic Tranquility, provide for the common
Defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure
the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our
posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution
for the United States of America”

6. Seven Articles- L E J S A S 9/13
ARTICLE I:
ARTICLE II:
ARTICLE III:
ARTICLE IV:
ARTICLE V:
ARTICLE VI:
ARTICLE VII:
Legislative Branch / Congress
Executive Branch / President
Judicial Branch / Supreme Court
State’s Relations / Reserved Powers
Amendment Process / How to guide
Supremacy Clause / Const. law of land
9/13 Ratification / to pass the Const.

7. Amendments
Changes or Additions to the Constitution
 The Constitution has 27 amendments
 The 1st ten are called the Bill of Rights
Make a list of the rights found in the Bill of
Rights

8. Major Principles
1. Popular Sovereignty
2. Federalism
3. Separation of Powers
4. Checks and Balances
5. Judicial Review
6. Limited Government

9. Popular Sovereignty
 United States gov’t is based upon consent
from the people
Examples:

10. Popular Sovereignty
 United States gov’t is based upon consent
from the people
Examples:
- Representation in Congress
- Democracy
- Voting Rights

11. Federalism
 Power is divided b/w Federal and state
gov’t
Federalism was a compromise
 The central gov’t was too weak under the
Articles
 States did not want to lose all their power
to a strong central gov’t
Examples:

12. Federalism
 Power is divided b/w Federal and state gov’t
Federalism was a compromise
 The central gov’t was too weak under the Articles
 States did not want to lose all their power to a
strong central gov’t
Examples:
- State laws / Federal laws
- State courts / Federal courts
- Expressed Federal powers / Reserved State powers

13. Separation of Powers
 Central gov’t is divided into 3 branches:
- Legislative
- Executive
- Judicial

14. Separation of Powers
 Central gov’t is divided into 3 branches:
- Legislative (to make laws)- Congress
- Executive (to execute laws)- President
- Judicial (to interpret laws) – Supreme Court

15. Checks and Balances
 Each branch has the authority to check
the power of the other branches
Examples
- President can veto (reject) a law
- Congress can override a veto (2/3rd vote)
- Supreme Court can determine a law
unconstitutional (Judicial Review)
Marbury v. Madison 1803

16. Judicial Review
- Supreme Court can determine a law
unconstitutional
Marbury v. Madison 1803

17. Limited Government
 The Constitution specifically lists powers
the gov’t has and does not have.
Example-

18. Limited Government
 The Constitution specifically lists powers the
gov’t has and does not have.
Example- Market economy
Term limits
Reserved powers for the states
Expressed Powers
Bill of Rights