Origins of the US constitution

three main branches of federal government

The Executive- President-Vice president and cabinet

The Legislative- Congress- Senate and the House of Representatives

The Judiciary-Supreme Court and other federal courts

Reasons why the 13 British Colonies called for revolution in 1775

-Taxed unfairly

-No representation in British parliament

When the war of independence took place

1775-83

Articles of Confederation (1781)

Set up a confederacy a link between the states

The year the constitution was written

1787

Purpose of Separation of powers

Combats tyranny power spread across the branches

reason the power the separate institutions wield is not separate

due to checks and balances which ensure power stays balanced between the branches of government

example of separation of powers in action

Barack Obama and Joe Biden had to resign in order to become president and VP

entrenchment

-extra legal safeguards to a constitutional provision

-a supermajority is required

-proposal and ratification required

prohibited power

A power both the states and federal government cannot wield

The two ways amendments are proposed

-by a super majority of 2/3 of each house in congress

-by a national convention called by 2/3 of state legislatures

How amendments are ratified

-by ¾ of the state legislatures

-by ¾ of state conventions

Number of amendments ratified

27 in over 200 years

Reason the constitution so hard to amend

high thresholds ensure that change only happens when there is a wide consensus