US Constitution
I. Constitution’s Facts
A. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are the two most important documents in American history.
B. The Declaration says that the US would no longer be under British rule and the Constitution is the written law by which the US is governed.
C. The Constriction is 200+ years old. It was written in 1787 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia in a meeting presided over by Washington.
D. No others nation’s constitution has lasted as long(Norway comes in 2nd place)
E. The original constitution was called the “Articles of Confederation. It had too many problems and was killed off.
F. The Constitution is remarkable because it has lasted so long and worked so well with very few changes
G. Reasons for success
Its writers included some Biblical Principles and Practices
Americans put forth much patient effort to make it work
It outlines broad principles and it has been flexible enough to deal with changing times
II. Principles in the Constitution
A. Written Law
Limited government prevents government leaders from stepping beyond the powers given to it.
The Written Law of the Constitution helps to protect American from the rise of cruel dictators.
B. Separation of Powers(no one branch has too much influence)
Powers of Government are divided in 3 branches-
Executive(President)(Enforce the law)
Legislative(Congress)(To make the law)
Judicial(Supreme Court)(To interpret the law)
Congress President Judicial
Congress To make laws Veto laws Review acts of Congress
President Override a veto To enforce the law Review acts of the President
Supreme Court Confirm judge
Impeach judge Appoint judges To interpret the law
C. Checks and Balances(keeps the branches of the government from going beyond their power)
D. A Federal System(Divides the powers of Government between those given to the states and the national government and gives the powers to the level of government best equipped to...