The Constitution (How is our government set up?)

What is the Constitution? A document that explains how our government is set up and will run It is the highest law in the land. All other laws must agree with the Constitution.

Outline of the Constitution I. Preamble (Introduction to the Constitution) II. Articles (How our Government is set up) III. Amendments (Changes/additions to the Constitution)

The Preamble Introduction to the constitution States purpose of the constitution and U.S. Government

The Preamble We the people, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, maintain domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, the public welfare and maintain the blessings of liberty to our posterity do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America.

Goals set out in the Preamble: 1.Form a more perfect union A more powerful and better government than the Articles of Confederation, to unite the states better. 2.Establish Justice Make laws and see criminals punished 3.Maintain Domestic Tranquility Keep the peace at home

Goals set out in the Preamble: 4.Provide for the Common Defense Keep us safe 5.The Public Welfare The well being of all citizens 6. Maintain the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and our Posterity Protect our freedoms for ourselves and upcoming generations

The Articles The articles outline how our government is set up, the powers of each branch, checks and balances, powers denied the government and how the constitution is to be ratified.

ArticleExplanation 1. LegislativeMakes the laws 2. ExecutiveEnforces the laws 3. JudicialInterprets and applies laws 4. StatesRelationship Between 5. AmendmentsHow to change the Const. 6. Supremacy Clause Federal Gov’t superior to states 7. RatificationApproval by states

3 Branches of Govt.

Checks And Balances Division of power between the branches of government to make sure no branch becomes too powerful Each branch has the power to CHECK (keep an eye on) and BALANCE (cancel out) the others.

Executive and Legislative Executive on Legislative 1.Veto (cancel) Laws 2.Call Emergency Session of Congress 3.Recommend Legislation Legislative on Executive 1.2/3 vote overrides Veto 2.Approves Presidential Treaties and Appointments 3.Appropriates funds to presidential programs 4.Creates Federal Agencies

Executive and Judicial Executive on Judicial 1.Appoints federal judges and Supreme Court Justices Judicial on Executive 1.Judges appointed for life, free from executive control 2.Can declare Executive actions unconstitutional

Legislative and Judicial Legislative on Judicial 1.Senate approves judicial appointments 2.Creates lower courts 3.Can remove judges through impeachment Judicial on Legislative 1.Can declare laws unconstitutional

Judicial Review 1803 Marbury v Madison established the right of Supreme Court to interpret laws passed by Congress John Marshall- Chief Justice of Supreme Court who increased power of court with early rulings IT is this power that allows the Court to declare laws and executive actions UNCONSTITUTIONAL (does not agree with the Constitution); therefore cannot be a law!

Federalism Separation of power between the National (Federal) government and State/Local governments The powers given to each level of government are defined in the Constitution

Federalism Delegated Powers: Powers given to Congress/the Federal government Reserved Powers: Powers given to the states Concurrent Powers: Powers shared by both state and Federal government

Electoral College Voters cast ballots for electors Electors cast ballots for President + VP if candidate wins majority of votes in a state he/she get all the electors large states have more electors so candidates focus on these states

Amendments Amendments are official changes to the constitution, there are 27 only Bill of Rights: included in Constitution to protect individuals from the power of the Federal government, they protects basic civil liberties