Political Science 151 

J. Briganti

Supplement 3

 

THE U.S. CONSTITUTION

 

Six Historical Events to Remember:

The colonists enjoyed the "Power of the Purse"

French and Indian War

Heavy Taxation of Americans by British

Revolutionary War - Independence

Passage & Failure of the Articles of Confederation

Constitutional Convention

 The Importance of Benjamin Franklin’s letter to the Constitutional Convention members - 

 

 

 

Major Principles of the U.S. Constitution:

 

Popular sovereignty through representative democracy –

 

 

 

National Supremacy/Rule of Law -

 

 

 

Limited Government – THREE WAYS POWER IS DIVIDED

 

 

 

 

 

Separation of Powers –

 

 

  
 

 

    
 

 

    

 

Federalism –

 

Bicameralism –

How to Change the Constitution

 

1. Formal Amendment –

Proposed by:

 

Approved (Ratified) by:

 

2. Supreme Court Judicial Action -

 

Judicial Review:

 

Judicial Interpretation :

 

        3. Social Evolution -

 

 

Major Components/Notable Sections of the Constitution

 

Article I –

 

 

Article II –

 

 

Article III –

 

 

First Ten Amendments –

 

Tenth Amendment –

Fourteenth Amendment –