MATERIALS & READINGS- Google Docs from notes, homework, classwork, etc

The Constitution -- Preamble

-- Articles I, II, & III

-- Bill of Rights (Am. 1-10) Fault Lines -- Bicameralism (Ch. 1)

-- Executive (Ch. 3; 12-14)

-- Rights (Ch. 8; 18-19) Textbook -- 4.5: “Understanding the Constitution” (225-236)

-- 4.6: “Federalism & Amendments” (237-240)

VOCABULARY - You should be familiar with the following lists, although there may be others that come up on the test.

Seven Principles: Popular Sovereignty People control the gov (power to the people) Separation of Powers montesquieu created this, government is split into three different branches Checks and Balances each branch has the power to check other branches so that they do not gain too much power Limited Government the power of the gov is limited, they do not have too much power Federalism a strong fed. government (federalists wanted this, anti federalists did not) Republicanism electing reps to the government Individual Rights an individual right guarantees individuals certain rights or freedoms that the government can not interfere with

Governmental Terms/Powers: Bill a legislative proposal before Congress. Bills from each house are assigned a number in the order in which they are introduced, starting at the beginning of each Congress (first and second sessions) Law system of rules which a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and which it may enforce by the imposition of penalties. Elastic Clause End of article 1, congress has power to deem laws “necessary and proper” Electoral College Article 2, each state gets representatives (2 senate + however many are in the house of rep.) their votes determine pres, 538 total votes, 3 from washington, pres needs 270 votes to win Veto President can reject law, congress has to be in ⅔ favor in both HoR and Senate Pardon president can pardon anyone of a crime, which drops all charges Judicial Review The supreme court decides whether or not acts of the president or federal laws passed are constitutional. This is important because it checks the legislative branch and president. Bill of Rights First 10 amendments in constitution

III. THREE BRANCHES - We discussed the basic organization, purpose, functions, and powers of the three branches of government. In the chart below copy and paste relevant information, including how each branch is checked and checks the others.

Branch of Gov’t Organization/Purpose/Function/Powers Checks/Balances 1.) Legislative Branch Organization 2 parts - Senate and House of Representatives 2 senators per state, HoR representatives based on population 535 members total Function Creating laws and making laws Declaring war Establishing rules of immigration Coin money and tax Establish federal courts and their jurisdictions Senate can impeach, house can propose impeach House can confirm judges The Senate is the “supervisor” to the House of Representatives

Congress must approve you to become a Supreme Justice Confirms or rejects presidential nominations for heads of federal agencies. Outrules veto, they can pass a bill if ⅔ of the house and senate agree.

2.) Executive Branch Organization President is at top, then VP, then cabinet Carrying out laws Running affairs with the national government In control of the military Appoints ambassadors Directs forgein policy Makes treaties

President must recommend you to become a Supreme Court Justice Suggests and vetos laws Grants pardons

3.) Judicial Branch Apply laws to court cases Watches for violations of laws in cases Interpret laws

Judicial Review: the supreme court decides whether or not acts of the president or federal laws passed are constitutional

IV. BILL OF RIGHTS - What are the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution in your own words? What freedoms do they protect?

*1.) freedom of speech, press, religion, and right to protest/peacefully assemble *2.) right to bear arms / regulated militia 3.) can’t be forced to house soldiers *4.) protection against unreasonable search + seizure / right to privacy *5.) miranda rights, can’t be tried twice for same offense (double jeopardy) cant incriminate yourself 6.) right to fair trial by jury, to know what their charges are and to confront person making said charges 7.) trial by jury *8.) no “cruel and unusual punishments” 9.) constitution does not cover all rights, just important ones 10.) all powers not given to the federal gov belong to the states

V. QUESTIONS - These are ideas that may come up on the quiz/test (and which you should be able to answer). You should think of this as a foundational list - it is certainly possible that some questions on the test may ask you to make connections between some of the concepts listed here.

What goals does the preamble lay out for the Constitution? Which of these, based on the powers and restrictions laid out in the document, seem most thoroughly considered? Which seem(s) to be a little less significant in the document?

The preamble brings up 5 points that they want to accomplish in the Constitution. The point that seems the most important is the “perfect Union”, and the “establishment of Justice”. Promoting the general welfare of the people seems to be brushed aside.

Describe how a bill becomes a law. Why was this system developed? What is each branch's role in the process?

congressperson/senator proposes a law → goes to committee, committee writes and if it is posted HoR votes on it, if ¾ agree gets sent to senate, another committee reviews it and if posted gets sent to senate, if ¾ of senate agree then it gets sent to pres, who either vetos it or passes it. This system was developed to a) make creating laws a difficult and tedious process and b) help get the thoughts of the whole legislative and executive branches, because if that many people agree on it, then it must be somewhat right

Describe the Bill of Rights. Why was it added to the Constitution? How is it connected to experiences before the Revolutionary War? What freedoms are protected in the First Amendment? Are there limitations? What other rights are secured in the Bill of Rights? Are there limitations?

Which of the principles of the Constitution that we discussed (choose 2 or 3) do you think were most important to the framers in writing the Constitution and why?

popular sovereignty and separation of powers proved to be the two principles that were the most important to the framers, as two of the amendments in the BoR focus on popular sovereignty, and separation of powers is what separates our government from others. A big part of why these two are so important is that these were both non existent when under british rule. The people had no say in the government, and all the power laid in the hands of the king. The framers wanted to do the complete opposite of the british, so they made it abundantly clear in the constitution that a) the powers would be separated somewhat equally and b) that all the power the government did not have would be given to the states.

What fault lines exist in the structures of the Constitution?[The color coding is meant to represent which terms/topics came up within each given assignment: Article I, Executive Powers, Rights]

-- Bicameralism -- Veto -- Electoral College -- Pardon -- Unitary Executive -- Voting Rights -- Emergency Powers -- Habeas Corpus