USC - U.S. Constitution Module Overview

U.S. Constitution Module Overview

More than 200 years ago, the Founding Fathers drafted the United States Constitution. The Founding Fathers did not want one branch of government becoming too powerful, so they divided the new government into three branches: The legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. The Founding Fathers also established a republic.  This means the power of the state resides in elected individuals representing the citizens of the state, and government leaders exercise power according to the rule of law.  In the American government system, the rule of law is the Constitution. An understanding of the Constitution is key to understanding the structure and daily function of the American government. In the "Constitution module", you will learn about the U.S. Constitution and the process for ratification, the powers and structures of the national government, the relationship between the three branches of government, the relationship between states and the national government, and the true meaning of the "Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag".

 

Essential Questions

  • What is the purpose of the U.S. Constitution?
  • What is the process for ratification?
  • What is the purpose of government stated in the Preamble?
  • What are the powers of the national government?
  • What is the structure of the national government?
  • What is the relationship between the three branches of government, including separation of powers?
  • What constitutes an informed, participating citizenry?
  • What is the relationship between the state governments and national government?
  • What powers are denied by the state governments but given to the national government?
  • What powers are shared by both the state governments and national government?
  • What is the meaning of the "Pledge of Allegiance"?

 

Key Terms

  1. Anti-Federalists - opposed a strong national government in fear that it would violate the liberties of the people
  2. Articles of Confederation - the first U.S. Constitution drafted by the Second Continental Congress
  3. Checks and Balances - allows for one branch of the national government to limit the power of another
  4. Constitution - the document embodying the fundamental principles according to which a nation, state, corporation, or the like, is governed
  5. Enumerated Powers - outline the power and authority of the national government in Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution
  6. Federalism - the division of power and authority between the national government and the states
  7. Federalists - believed in a strong national government
  8. Great Compromise - an agreement between large and small states and their representation in both the upper and lower houses
  9. Implied Powers - national government powers not written in the U.S. Constitution
  10. Inherent Powers - powers belonging to all governments, or a sovereign state
  11. Judicial review - the judiciary has the power to review legislative and executive actions
  12. Marbury v. Madison - a landmark Supreme Court case which allowed the court to exercise judicial review under Article III of the Constitution
  13. McCullough v. Maryland- a landmark Supreme Court case which granted Congress implied powers
  14. Ratified - formally approved
  15. Repeal - to take away or remove
  16. Reserved Powers - powers set aside to the state that are not specifically recorded
  17. Separation of Powers - divides the powers of government into three branches: The legislature, executive, and judiciary
  18. Shay's rebellion - a conflict that led to a stronger national government
  19. Supremacy Clause - Article VI, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution that establishes the U.S. Constitution as the supreme law of the land
  20. The Bill of Rights - the first ten amendments of the Constitution that outline citizens' rights
  21. The Framers - known as the Founding Fathers, were the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and delegates that helped to draft the U.S. Constitution
  22. Unconstitutional - is not within the guidelines or provisions of the Constitution
  23. Veto - to stop an action or forbid; the president has the power to veto bills

 

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