3.9 The Constitution Notes- APUSH- 10.13.21

3.9 The Constitution

10.13.21

Learning Objective: Explain the continuities and changes in the structure and functions of the government with the ratification of the Constitution

Theme Focus: Politics and Power

Constitutional Convention

Established limited, but more powerful central government
Provided for a separation of powers between 3 branches
Included bicameral legislature
Executive branch
Judicial branch

Legislative	Executive	Judicial
Makes laws	Sign laws	Decides if laws are constitutional
Approves presidential appointments	Vetos laws	Are appointed by the president
2 senators from each state	Pardons people	There are 9 justices
The number of congressmen is based on population	Appoints federal judges	Can overturn rulings by other judges
	Elected every 4 years

The Constitution

Grown out of the Anglo-American common law, which made it unnecessary to detail out every little thing
Allowed the Constitution itself to be fairly short
Offered more of a flexible guide than a hard and fast set laws
Not all states followed these guidelines; some states constitutions were extremely lengthy