Middle School Social StudiesThe United States Constitution as a Living Document

Nineteenth Century American HistoryTeacher Resource

Comparing the Houses of Congress (SS080105)


Finding Purpose: The Preamble and the Powers of Congress (SS080105)

Purpose / Why was it a Concern? / Power(s) of Congress / Related Public Issues
To form a more perfect union
To establish justice
To insure domestic tranquility

Finding Purpose: The Preamble and the Powers of Congress (SS080105)

Purpose / Why was it a Concern? / Power(s) of Congress / Related Public Issues
To provide for the common defense
To promote the general welfare
To secure the blessings of liberty

Congressional Authority for Resolving Public Issues (SS080105)

The Constitution gives our government the authority to act on behalf of the general welfare of its citizens. Think about things in America today that affect the welfare of people, such as the environment or unemployment. List five issues in which you think the government should become involved. Interview other individuals to identify five issues of public concern that the federal government may be able to resolve.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Adapted from: Schillings, Denny. The Living Constitution. New York: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill. 1987.

Comparing the Houses of Congress – Answer Guide (SS080105)


Finding Purpose: The Preamble and the Powers of Congress – Answer Guide (SS080105)

Purpose / Why was it a Concern? / Power(s) of Congress / Related Public Issues
To form a more perfect union / Under the Articles of Confederation, the states often quarreled. / Section 8, Clauses 1 and 2 give Congress the power to tax and spend and to borrow money on behalf of the United States.
Congress also has power to make all laws necessary and proper in carrying out its expressed powers. / Answers will vary.
To establish justice / Under the Articles of Confederation, state and local courts interpreted national law, leading to a situation where laws where not applied fairly to all Americans. Some judges refused to enforce some laws and states often varied in how they interpreted national laws. / Under Clause 9, Congress has the power to establish lower federal courts underneath the Supreme Court. Congress has the power under Clause 4 to establish uniform rules under which foreigners can become citizens of the United States and to create uniform laws on bankruptcy. The laws on these two issues are the same throughout the country. / Answers will vary.
To insure domestic tranquility / Shay’s Rebellion in 1786 demonstrated the need for the national government to be able to maintain peace at home. / Congress has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states under Clause 3. Congress can also use the state militias to put down domestic rebellions or to fight foreign invaders under Clauses 15 and 16. / Answers will vary.

Finding Purpose: The Preamble and the Powers of Congress

Answer Guide (SS080105)

Purpose / Why was it a Concern? / Power(s) of Congress / Related Public Issues
To provide for the common defense / Under the Articles of Confederation the United States had no way to force British troops from leaving the frontier or to prevent Spain from closing part of the Mississippi River to trade. / Congress has the power to declare war under Clause 11. Congress has the power to raise and support armies, and the power to provide and maintain a navy. / Answers will vary.
To promote the general welfare / Under the Articles, the national government was at the mercy of states to contribute funds for the welfare of all citizens. States tended to focus on their own residents. / Congress has the power to tax and spend, as well as to coin money, regulate its value, and to set punishment for counterfeiting. Congress has the power to establish post offices and to encourage the progress of science and the arts by issuing patents and copyrights. (Clauses 5-8) / Answers will vary.
To secure the blessings of liberty / Answer may vary, but should include ideas about why the colonists wanted to break free from British rule. Liberty issues were also the reason behind adopting the Articles of Confederation – fearful of too strong of a national government. / The government under the Constitution is one of enumerated powers. Although it spells out the specific powers of the Congress, the Constitution leaves those powers not given to the national government to the states or the people (10th Amendment). Additionally, a Bill of Rights was added to protect individual liberties of Americans. / Answers will vary.

January 22, 2007SCoPE SS080105 Page 1 of 7