STANDARD GOVT.4
The student will apply social science skills to understand the Constitution of the United States by
a) examining the ratification debates and The Federalist; The debates over ratification of the Constitution of the United States focused on powers given to the national government and the protection of individual rights.
Ratification debates
• Nine of thirteen states were needed to ratify the Constitution.
• Anti-Federalist position
O Suspicious of a strong central government
O Wanted Bill of Rights to protect personal liberties
• Federalist position
O Believed that a strong central government was the best way to protect freedom
The Federalist (later known as The Federalist Papers) was a series of essays supporting adoption of the Constitution of the United States.
The student will apply social science skills to understand the Constitution of the United States by
a) examining the ratification debates and The Federalist; The debates over ratification of the Constitution of the United States focused on powers given to the national government and the protection of individual rights.
Ratification debates
• Nine of thirteen states were needed to ratify the Constitution.
• Anti-Federalist position
O Suspicious of a strong central government
O Wanted Bill of Rights to protect personal liberties
• Federalist position
O Believed that a strong central government was the best way to protect freedom
The Federalist (later known as The Federalist Papers) was a series of essays supporting adoption of the Constitution of the United States.
b) evaluating the purposes for government stated in the Preamble;The purposes for government are established in the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States.
Purposes for government as stated in the Preamble
• To form a more perfect union
• To establish justice
• To ensure domestic tranquility
• To provide for the common defense
• To promote the general welfare
• To secure the blessings of liberty
Purposes for government as stated in the Preamble
• To form a more perfect union
• To establish justice
• To ensure domestic tranquility
• To provide for the common defense
• To promote the general welfare
• To secure the blessings of liberty
c) examining the fundamental principles upon which the Constitution of the United States is based, including the rule of law, consent of the governed, limited government, separation of powers, and federalism;
The Constitution of the United States is based on fundamental principles that can be found in the writings of philosophers during the Age of Enlightenment.
Fundamental principles
• Consent of the governed: People are the only source of governmental power.
• Limited government: The government may do only those things that the people have given it the power to do.
• Separation of powers: Government is divided into three branches—the legislative, executive, and judicial.
• Checks and balances: This is a system whereby each branch of government exercises some control over the others.
• Federalism: In this form of government, powers are divided between the national government & state governments.
• Rule of law: The Constitution of the United States is supreme, and all individuals are accountable under the law.
The Constitution of the United States is based on fundamental principles that can be found in the writings of philosophers during the Age of Enlightenment.
Fundamental principles
• Consent of the governed: People are the only source of governmental power.
• Limited government: The government may do only those things that the people have given it the power to do.
• Separation of powers: Government is divided into three branches—the legislative, executive, and judicial.
• Checks and balances: This is a system whereby each branch of government exercises some control over the others.
• Federalism: In this form of government, powers are divided between the national government & state governments.
• Rule of law: The Constitution of the United States is supreme, and all individuals are accountable under the law.
d) defining the structure of the national government outlined in Article I, Article II, and Article III;
Articles I, II, & III of the Constitution of the United States establish three branches of government. Organization of the national government • Article I establishes the legislative branch of the national government by setting forth the 2 houses of Congress to make laws. • Article II establishes the executive branch to carry out the laws passed by Congress. • Article III creates the United States Supreme Court and empowers Congress to establish lower federal courts to interpret the laws. |
e) analyzing and explaining the amendment process.
The amendment process provides a way that the Constitution of the United States can remain responsive to the needs of a changing nation.
To date, there have been 27 amendments to the Constitution.
• amendment: A formal revision to the Constitution, responding to the needs of a changing nation
National amendment procedure (Article V)
• Proposing an amendment:
O requires a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress
or
o requires a national convention requested by two-thirds of the state legislatures.
• Ratifying an amendment
O requires approval by three-fourths of the state legislatures
or
o requires acceptance by conventions in three-fourths of the states.
The amendment process provides a way that the Constitution of the United States can remain responsive to the needs of a changing nation.
To date, there have been 27 amendments to the Constitution.
• amendment: A formal revision to the Constitution, responding to the needs of a changing nation
National amendment procedure (Article V)
• Proposing an amendment:
O requires a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress
or
o requires a national convention requested by two-thirds of the state legislatures.
• Ratifying an amendment
O requires approval by three-fourths of the state legislatures
or
o requires acceptance by conventions in three-fourths of the states.