Chapter 3: The Constitution
3-1 Summary: Fill in the missing words
The Constitution originally consisted of a __________________, or introduction, and __________
sections called ______________. The Framers developed the Preamble and the articles around
_________ broad ideas, or principles described below.
______________ is the idea that the people are the source of all power held by the government.
______________ means that he government possess only the powers the people give it-it must obey
the Constitution. The principle is also known as _______________. Government officials are subject to
the __________________-they must always obey the law and are never above it.
_____________________ establishes three separate parts that share the government’s power. These
branches are the ___________________, the ____________________, and the ________________.
The Constitution uses a system of ______________________ to ensure that none of the three branches
can become too powerful. Each branch has ways to limit the power of the other two. An example of
this principle is the power of the President to ___________, or reject any act of Congress. Congress may
then override a veto with a two-thirds vote in each house. _____________________ is the power of the
courts to decide what the Constitution means. The courts also have the power to declare a government
action to be against the Constitution, or ______________________. Lastly, the Framers used the
principle of _________________ to divide power between the central government and the states.
The Constitution and the government of the United States are based on these six ideas. LIST EACH OF
THE SIX CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES.
Principles of
the U.S.
Constitution
Chapter 3: The Constitution
Fill in the description of each of the six basic principles of the Constitution
Principle
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism
Description
Chapter 3: The Constitution
3-2 Summary: Fill in the missing words
The Constitution has lasted more than 200 years because it has changed with the times. Many of its
words and their meanings are the same, but some words have been changed, eliminated, or added-and
some of the meanings have been modified as well. The alterations to the Constitution have occurred in
two ways: either through formal or informal _________________, or changes.
A ______________________ is a change to the Constitution’s written words. The Framers created four
ways to make such changes. The Framers followed the principle of federalism in creating these
methods. First amendments are proposed, or suggested, at a national level-either by Congress or at a
national convention. Then they are ratified at the State level-either in the State legislatures or by State
conventions. Method 1 has been used for all but one of the 27 amendments.
The first ten amendments are the _____________________. Congress proposed all of them in 1789
because many people refused to support the Constitution unless the Federal Government protected
these basic rights. The States approved these ten amendments in ________________. The other 17
amendments became part of the Constitution one at a time.
Each of the methods of formally amending the Constitution is based on the principle of federalism.
LIST EACH OF THE FOUR METHODS OF MAKING A FORMAL AMENDMENT.
METHOD 1
METHOD 2
METHOD 3
METHOD 4
Chapter 3: The Constitution
1. What is a formal amendment to the Constitution? _____________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Which two bodies may ratify amendments to the Constitution? __________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What is the Bill of Rights? _________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Which amendments were results of the Civil War? _____________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 3: The Constitution
3-3 Summary: Fill in the missing words
Many informal changes to the Constitution have been made since 1787. Unlike formal amendments,
these changes have not altered the Constitution’s actual words. These changes have come from five
sources. Congress has made changes to the Constitution through two kinds of basic legislation. First, it
has passed laws that fill in details about the specific ways the government operates. Second, it has
passed thousands of laws that explain certain parts of the Constitution. The way ______________ have
used their powers has produced some informal changes. For example, a President may choose to make
an ________________, or pact with the head of another country instead of a _____________, or a
formal agreement between two sovereign countries that requires congressional approval. The courts,
especially the U.S. Supreme Court, have informally changed the Constitution by explaining parts of it
when ruling on cases. They also decide if government actions are constitutional.
Political parties have informally shaped what the government does. For example, the parties have
decreased the importance of the ____________________, the group that formally selects that nation’s
President. Customs are the usual ways people do things. Many customs have developed in American
government that are not mentioned in the Constitution. For example, the President’s _____________,
or advisory body, is customarily made up of the heads of executive departments and other officers.
______________________ is a custom in which in the Senate will not approve a presidential
appointment is opposed by a senator from the President’s party.
The Constitution has been changed many times by informal means. IN EACH ARROW, LIST EACH OF
THE WAYS THE CONSTITUTION CAN BE CNHANGED INFORMALLY
Chapter 3: The Constitution
Complete the Chart below by writing a brief definition of each method of informal constitutional
change shown, and by giving an example of each.
Basic Legislation Defination:
• Example:
Executive Action Defination:
• Example:
Party Practices Defination:
• Example
Court Decisions Defination:
• Example:
Custom
• Example
Defination: