The Living Constitution Modern U.S. History

The 7 “Principles” of the Constitution  Popular Sovereignty  Republicanism  Federalism  Separation of Powers  Checks and Balances  Limited Government  Individual Rights

Popular Sovereignty  This concept means that the “people” rule in our country  We are the source of the government’s power  This has taken on new people throughout history (like who?)  African American men (1865)  Women (1920)  18 year olds (1971)

Republicanism  Our government works by people choosing our leaders – who then make the decisions for us

Federalism  Federalism is a system of “shared” powers between the national government and the state governments 1. Maintain Military 2. Declare War 3. Post Offices 4. Weights and Measures 5. Protect Copyrights 1. Establish local Governments 2. Schools 3. Regulate state Commerce 4. Marriage Regulations 5. Drivers Licenses

Separation of Powers  Power in our government is split, or separated among 3 branches  Executive (the president and those who serve under him/her)  Legislative (Congress)  Judicial (The Federal Courts)

Checks and Balances  Each branch of government exercises control, or a check on the other branches.  This ensures that one branch doesn’t become too powerful

Limited Government and Individual Rights  Limited Government: Constitution lists things that the government cannot do. It also explain how all citizens, weak or strong, must obey the law  Individual Rights: People get certain individual privileges – protections from powerful government

The Electoral College  Voters don’t choose President directly  Each state has “electors” that make up the Electoral College  Winner take all – meaning that if a candidate wins a state – they get all of that state’s ‘electors’ (with some exceptions)

Electoral College Map – 2004 Election George W. Bush – Red John Kerry – Blue

Roles of the President  Commander-in-Chief  Chief Executive  Chief Diplomat  Legislative Leader  Head of Political Party

Commander-in-Chief

Chief Executive

Chief Diplomat & Chief of State

Legislative Leader

Head of Political Party

Judicial Review  Judicial Review is one of the most important powers the Judicial Branch has  The Supreme Court (and other federal courts) have the power to examine laws and government activity and decide whether it violates the Constitution

America: Both Federal and State Governments 1. Maintain Military 2. Declare War 3. Post Offices 4. Weights and Measures 5. Protect Copyrights 1. Establish local Governments 2. Schools 3. Regulate state Commerce 4. Marriage Regulations 5. Driver’s Licenses Taxes Courts Laws Roads

Amending the Constitution  Constitution can be amended – or changed  Has been amended 27 times in history  Amendment must be passed by 2/3 of BOTH houses of Congress – or application by 2/3 of the states  To be passed: Amendment must be ratified by ¾ of state legislatures or ¾ of state conventions

The Bill of Rights  The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution  Guarantees basic freedoms and liberties for all U.S. citizens

The 1 st Amendment  The 1 st Amendment guarantees  Freedom of Religion  Freedom of Speech  Freedom of the Press  Freedom of Assembly  Freedom to Petition the Government

Amendments 2-4  The 2 nd Amendment: Citizens have the right to keep and bear arms  The 3 rd Amendment: The government cannot quarter troops in your home  The 4 th Amendment: Citizens have protection against illegal searches and seizures (gov’t must obtain a warrant & have probable cause to conduct a search)

The 5 th Amendment  People accused of crimes have the right to not “incriminate” themselves  The “Right” to remain silent  No person is ever forced to testify against themselves

Amendments 6-8: Protects those accused of crimes  6 th Amendment: Right to a Speedy and Public Trial (also the right to hear the charges, right to call witnesses in your favor, and right to an attorney)  7 th Amendment: Trial by Jury in Civil cases  8 th Amendment: Limits of Fines and Punishments (no ‘excessive’ bail, or ‘cruel and unusual’ punishment)  9 th Amendment: Addresses the rights of people that aren’t specifically stated in the Constitution  10 th Amendment: Says that anything the Constitution doesn’t mention is left up to the states

Other Famous Amendments  13 th : Slavery is outlawed (1865)  16 th : Income tax is allowed (1913)  18 th : Prohibition of alcohol (1919)  19 th : Women’s Suffrage (right to vote) (1920)  21 st : Prohibition repealed (1933)  22 nd : Limits President to 2 terms (1951)  25th: Presidential Disability/Succession (1967)  26 th : 18 year olds can vote (1971)  27 th : Congressional pay raises (1992)

The Line of Succession after the President (who are they today???)  1. Vice-President  2. Speaker of the House  3. President Pro-Tempore of the Senate  4. Secretary of State  5. Secretary of Treasury

Executive Departments (The President’s Cabinet)  Leaders of all the Executive Departments serve in the President’s Cabinet – or closest group of advisors

The President’s Cabinet  The Secretary of… (they all serve as Presidential advisors and heads of their gov’t department)  Agriculture  Commerce  Defense  Education  Energy  Health & Human Services  Homeland Security  Housing and Urban Development  Interior  Justice (Attorney General)  Labor  State  Transportation  Treasury  Veteran’s Affairs

Key Members of our Government – those we need to know  President  Vice President  Speaker of the House of Representatives  President Pro-Tempore of the Senate  Secretary of State  2 U.S. Senators from Wisconsin  U.S. Representative whose district includes Waterford  Governor of Wisconsin

The President of the United States  Barack Obama

The Vice President of the United States  Joe Biden

The Speaker of the House of Representatives  John Boehner

President Pro-Tempore of the Senate  Daniel Inouye

The Secretary of State  Hillary Clinton

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court  John Roberts

Wisconsin’s 2 U.S. Senators  Herb Kohl  Ron Johnson

U.S. Representative whose district includes Waterford  Paul Ryan

Wisconsin’s 1 st District

The Governor of Wisconsin  Scott Walker