Unit 3 Section 1 Notes

The US Constitution

1) What is a Preamble?
A preamble is the introduction to a document that states the basic wants/needs that are
elaborated in the following document



Preamble to the US Constitution
We the People of the United States, in Order
to form a more perfect Union, establish
Justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide
for the common defense, promote the general
Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to
ourselves and our Posterity , do ordain and
establish this Constitution for the United
States of America.




2) Fill in the Chart Below
Directions: For each phrase of the preamble give an example of how
our government tries to reach that goal on the right side of the column.
An example is given for Establish justice

Phrase Example
Establish justice Create courts
Insure domestic tranquility insure peace within the country
Provide for the common defense allow citizens to protect themselves
Promote the general welfare promoting security, and laws to protect the
public
Secure the Blessings of Liberty right to fair trial/freedom in their rights
















3) Go to the following webpage
http://library.thinkquest.org/13506/basis/outline.htm

The US Constitution is made up of 7 Articles. Each articles describes how a different
part of government is suppose to function. Fill in the chart below that sums up what
each Article means. Use the website above to help you identify those important
parts.

US Constitution Summation
Article I describes election requirements/legislative
branch
Article II the office of the President/executive branch
Article III describes court system/judicial branch
Article IV relationships between states/states and
federal government
Article V process on how to amend the constitution
Article VI makes the constitution the supreme law of
the land
Article VII explains process for establishing the new
government




















4) Key Terms: Explain what each term below means with thorough detail


Key Terms Explanation
Elastic Clause Grants Congress power to pass all laws used for
carrying out list of powers
Supremacy Clause That the Constitution is the supreme law of the
land
Writ of Habeas Corpus to guarantee if the court has right to detain a
prisoner
Ex Post Facto changes legal consequences of actions that were
committed before the law was made
Expressed Powers
(aka Enumerated Powers)
Powers of congressed specifically listed in the
Constitution; ex: power to tax and borrow
Privileges and Immunities
(aka Comity Clause)
citizens from one state are held equal to citizens
from other states
Implied Powers Gives Congress powers not explicitly implied in
the Constitution, but are given in order to
execute the powers that are
Extradition act of expulsion of a person accused or convicted
of a crime
Republic supreme power is held by people and reps are
elected by the people
Bill of Attainder act of legislature that declares a person guilty of
a crime without judicial trial