US Constitution Aim: Explain the importance of the Preamble the important terms of the Constitution. Do Now: What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Preamble “We the People…” The people are the rulers Not the king or courts

The Preamble—The Introduction to the Constitution Two main Questions found in the Preamble: 1. Why they are writing it? (to form a more perfect union) 2. What are the goals to be reached? (establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty)

Introduction to the U.S. Constitution Written in Philadelphia Original intent was to revise the Articles James Madison was the “Father” of the Constitution 39 men signed it in 1787

Constitution How the Constitution is divided: 1. Articles—the major divisions 2. Sections---divisions of an article 3. Clauses---divisions of a section Example- Article 1 Section 8 Clause 18

US Constitution Aim: Describe the branches of government in detail. Do Now: What are the three branches of government and what do they do?

Three Branches Legislative – make the laws (Congress) Executive – enforce the laws (President) Judicial – interpret the laws (Courts)

Terms Three branches – legislative, executive, judicial Checks and balances – ability of each branch to exercise checks over the other branches Federalism – system of government in which the states and the national government share power Enumerated powers – powers given to national gov’t Reserved powers – powers reserved to states Concurrent powers – shared powers of states and national gov’t

US Constitution Aim: Describe the branches of government in detail. Do Now: List two powers that only Congress has.

Legislative Branch Power to make the laws Senate 2 from each state 6 year term At least 30 yrs old and 9 yrs a citizen V.P. is president of Senate and votes to break ties only Votes on impeachment trials (2/3 to be guilty) Impeachment – government official is accused of unlawful activity

Legislative Branch House of Representatives Based on population of state 2 year term At least 25 yrs old and 7 yrs a citizen of US

Legislative Branch Bill – a proposed law Bills need to have a majority vote (one more than half) to pass Bill passed by both houses goes to Pres. to sign President can sign or veto Veto – to cancel Congress can override the veto with 2/3 vote

How does a bill become a law? First method—passes one house by majority vote, passes second house by majority vote, goes to president, president signs it into law Second method—passes one house by majority vote, passes second house by majority vote, goes to president, president vetoes, goes back to house it originated in and must pass by 2/3 vote, then goes to next house and must pass by 2/3 vote to become a law

Power of Congress Collect taxes Borrow money Regulate interstate trade Coin money Set up federal courts Declare war Maintain an army and navy The Elastic Clause Article 1 Section 8 Clause 18 – “necessary and proper” to carry out powers – make laws not specifically mentioned in Constitution Expands the powers of Congress

Executive Branch President and Vice President – 4 yr term At least 35 years old Naturalized citizen Must be born in the U.S. Or parents are citizens of America Resident of U.S. for at least 14 years

Executive Branch Powers of president Chief legislator – veto (reject) power bills Congress can override with 2/3 vote Commander-in-chief – head of armed forces Chief diplomat – negotiates treaties with countries Makes foreign policy with other countries Pardons

Executive Branch Electoral college elects president State # of electors = Senators + Representatives If win the majority of votes in that state, that candidate wins all of those electors Need ½ electors in college to win election

ELECTORAL COLLEGE POST IT STATE NAME # OF ELECTORS GIVEN BY MR. G REPUBLICAN VS. DEMOCRAT YOU WILL DECIDE THE PERCENTAGE OF THE VOTE AND WHO WINS

Executive Branch Report to Congress annually Oath of office to protect the Constitution Impeachment – government official is accused of unlawful activity High crime or misdemeanor 2/3 of Senate vote removes from office

Judicial Branch 1 Chief Justice(judge) and 8 associate judges Federal judges can hold office for life if not impeached Try cases involving Constitution Federal laws Treaties

Judicial Branch Treason – betraying one’s country Wage war against U.S. Give aid to its enemies Congress may decide punishment for treason

US Constitution Aim: Describe the importance of the Bill of Rights, specifically the 1st Amendment. Do Now: What is the purpose of Amendments? US Constitution Notes Online

States and the Federal Government Acts of one state must be recognized by other states Congress admits new states to the Union Federal lands in a state is federal property Federal government will protect every state from invasion

Powers Denied to Federal Government Cannot take away habeas corpus – the right a person has from not being held in prison without formal charges of a crime Ex post facto law – cannot be punished for a law that someone broke before the law was passed Example Betty Boone sells fireworks on July 4th - On July 10th, Congress passes a law that makes it illegal to sell fireworks and tries to punish Betty for what she did on July 4th

Amending the Constitution Constitution may be amended, or changed Need 2/3 vote of both houses of Congress Also need ¾ of state governments to approve Makes it a living document Can be changed throughout time Life different today than it was in 1780s

General Provisions Constitution and federal laws are the supreme law of the land Outweigh state laws Separation of church and state Oath to protect Constitution No religious requirement

Bill of Rights Rights of the people First Ten Amendments that ensure the people’s basic rights.

Voltaire “I may not believe in what you say, but I’ll defend, to the death, your right to say it.

Bill of Rights – First 10 Amendments 1. individual 5 freedoms 2. right to own weapons 3. free from having troops housed in home 4. protection from unlawful searches 5. freedom from self-incrimination 6. right to speedy and public trial 7. right to trial by jury 8. freedom from excessive punishments 9. citizen’s freedoms not limited to those in Constitution 10. all power not belonging to the nation or state belongs to the people