PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Preamble
An introductory statement in any document that explains the document's purpose
Amendment
a minor change or addition designed to improve a text
Separation of Powers
The power that is divided among different branches of government
Checks & Balances
To take action to prevent any branch from becoming too powerful
Legislative Branch
The power to make laws, declare wars, and control taxing
Executive Branch
Consists of the President and is responsible for enforcing the laws of the land
Judicial Branch
In charge of deciding what certain laws mean, how to apply them to real situations, and whether a law breaks the rules of the Constitution
Bill of Rights
The original 10 amendments in the Constitution which is the Americans’ rights in relation to their government
Ratification
The approval of a treaty, contract, or agreement
State Powers
Powers that a state has that is not given to federal (national) government
National Powers
The powers that are given only to the national government (authority to declare war, maintain army and navy, etc.)
Concurrent Powers
The powers that are shared by both federal (national) and state governments
Supremacy Clause
Mandates that federal constitution and federal law takes precedency over state law and state constitution
Judicial Review
Authority to decide whether the acts of executive and legislative branches of government are reasonable
