3.9 The Constitution Notes- APUSH- 10.13.21

3.9 The Constitution

10.13.21

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

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Theme Focus: Politics and Power

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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

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LegislativeExecutiveJudicial
Makes lawsSign lawsDecides if laws are constitutional
Approves presidential appointmentsVetos lawsAre appointed by the president
2 senators from each statePardons peopleThere are 9 justices
The number of congressmen is based on populationAppoints federal judgesCan overturn rulings by other judges
Elected every 4 years

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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

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