The Constitution: A More Perfect Union Chapter 9

Introduction 9:1 Delegates left Independence Hall in September 1787 Wanted ordinary citizens to understand and support the Constitution Organized its contents very clearly Short introduction Divided the Constitution into parts called articles First section in the article: describes how the president is chosen Second section lists the president’s powers Third section lists presidential duties Fourth section explains how the president can be removed from office Framers created it so it could also change with the times Delegates left Independence Hall in September 1787 Each had a copy of the Constitution Task now : To get it approved (ratified) Writing the Constitution involved many compromises

The Preamble Tells the Goals of Government 9:2 The introduction to the Constitution Explains the reasons and responsibilities of our government The Constitution begins with the memorable phrase “We the People.”  Stresses: the authority is with the people Power to form the government did not come from: The states Existing governments Sovereign (ruler) appointed by God Power did come from: Ordinary Americans This concept is known as popular sovereignty (voting) “Provide for the common defense.” The national government would be responsible for protecting the nation against foreign enemies.  “Promote the general Welfare.”  Government could support an economy and a society in which people could prosper. “Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.”  By “posterity,” the delegates meant the generations that would come after them “Form a more perfect Union.”  They wanted the states to cooperate with each other Create a strong relationship between the states and the national government “Establish Justice.”  Americans wanted to be ruled by laws, not by the might of soldiers or the decisions of kings The same laws would apply to all people. “Insure domestic Tranquility.”  By domestic, they meant within the country By tranquility, they meant peace and order  It was the government’s job to keep peace and maintain order within the country

The Legislative Branch Makes Laws 9:3 The Structure of Congress How Congress Makes Laws How many do you get? Every state gets two senators Representation in the House is based on population Constitution calls for a census (a count of the population) to be conducted every ten years 435 is max for the House Qualifications? Senators must be at least 30 years old Citizens for nine years Representatives members must be 25 years old Citizens for just seven years Bicameral, or two-part, national legislature called Congress House of Representatives “Lower house” Senate “Upper house” Term Length? Senate serve six-year terms Have to face the voters less often House serve two-year terms Have to face the voters much more often Primary job : to make laws Anyone from the House or Senate can submit a proposal for a new law: called a bill House can propose new taxes Majority in one house votes in favor of the bill, it is sent to the other house for debate.  If both houses approve the bill, it goes to the president.  President signs it: New law President can veto: Goes back Congress can override veto: two-thirds majority in both houses.

The Legislative Branch Makes Laws 9:3 The Powers of Congress Congress may “make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper” to carry out its other powers Elastic clause Powers not listed or written in the Constitution Implied powers Article I spells out other powers of Congress Congress can decide how to spend the money raised through taxes Other congressional powers include: The power to raise an army and navy To declare war To pay government debts To grant citizenship

The Executive Branch Carries Out the Laws 9:4 Electing the President Article II President would be selected by a group of electors Electoral College Formula Senators + Congressional Representatives To win the presidency: 270 electoral votes Term Limit: Four-year term Twenty-second Amendment: President may be reelected only once President oath: The oath calls for the president to “defend the Constitution.” Qualifications: A president must be a natural-born American citizen At least 35 years old Nothing in the Constitution prevents a woman from being elected president.

The Executive Branch Carries Out the Laws 9:4 The Powers of the President Main responsibility: Carry out laws passed by Congress Other Powers Commander in chief of the nation’s military forces  Can make treaties with other nations Need consent of Senate to make it official The president nominates, or recommends: Ambassadors (official representatives to other countries) Supreme Court justices (judges) Can grant pardons to people convicted of violating federal, or national, laws Organization: Departments: to carry out its duties State Department handles relations with other nations Justice Department is involved in law enforcement as well as court actions The heads of executive departments President’s cabinet A formal group of advisers.

The Executive Branch Carries Out the Laws 9:4 Removing the President Steps of impeachment House votes to impeach Senate puts the president on trial, with the senators serving as the jury If found guilty, the president is removed from office Can be removed if: A president or other officials commit certain crimes related to their duties The House of Representatives can vote to impeach the president Means to formally accuse the president of the crimes specified in the Constitution These include Bribery High Crimes Misdemeanors

The Judicial Branch Interprets the Law 9:5 Federal Court System Article III Consists of the system of federal courts and judges Establishes the Supreme Court Gives Congress the power to create inferior (lower) courts Only to meet the nation’s needs Federal courts power To resolve disputes that involve national laws The federal government Dispute amongst the states People accused of breaking national laws can be tried in federal courts Authorized two main sets of inferior federal courts District courts United States is divided into large geographic districts Each district covers several states Most cases involving federal laws are first heard Citizens can appeal decisions given in district court Appellate courts/Appeals court Review cases, make sure the original trial was fair and legal A decision by an appellate court can be appealed to the Supreme Court

The Judicial Branch Interprets the Law 9:5 The Powers of the Supreme Court  Decisions are final They are binding on all lower courts Size: Constitution does not specify the size of the Supreme Court Nine justices are on the Supreme Court Term: Serve on court for life Can be removed for a lack of “good behavior.” Impeachment (legally removed) Go straight to the Supreme Court if: Involves a state or an ambassador from another country Choosing Cases Justices review and read cases Vote on which to rule on Decisions are announced and explained in writing Used as a precedent on future cases Judicial Review Power to decide whether laws and acts are unconstitutional Said to be the greatest power

Checks and Balances 9:6 Checks and Balances Concern: Hope: Balance between a strong national government and protection for individual freedoms Hope: Dividing the federal government into three branches would limit the government’s power Checks and Balances The system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other two branches

Checks and Balances 9:6 Checking the Power of Other Branches Balancing the Power of Other Branches Checks allow one branch to block the actions of another branch Example: Congress has the power to pass laws President can check this power by vetoing a bill Congress override the veto by a two-thirds majority vote in each house Purpose of balance: Allow each branch of the government to have some role in the actions and power of the other branches Example: Judges, ambassadors, and cabinet members are appointed only if the president nominates them Senate approves the nomination Checks and balances keep any one branch of the federal government from being too strong

The Amendment Process 9:7 Changing the Constitution Most Common Way to Amend Purpose: To add to the Constitution Framers knew the Constitution would need to be changed over time

The Amendment Process 9:7 Amendments So Far People have suggested more than 10,000 amendments to the Constitution Only 27 have been approved The first 10 amendments were added almost immediately Bill of Rights: first 10 amendments primarily guarantee specific rights to citizens.

The Federal System Connects the Nation and the States 9:8 Powers Belonging to the National Government Importance of Common Market Powers of National Gov’t Declaring war Making treaties Print and coin money Regulate interstate commerce Trade and other business dealings between two or more states Goods and resources could flow more easily across the country Made it easier to create large businesses that crossed state lines Helped to create a single national economy

The Federal System Connects the Nation and the States 9:8  Federalism: the constitutional system that shares power between the national and state governments

The Federal System Connects the Nation and the States 9:8 Supreme Law of the Land Article VI states that the Constitution is “supreme Law of the Land.”  State’s constitution, laws, and judicial decisions must agree with the Constitution

Popular Participation in Government 9:9 Majority Rule Involvement Laws are passed in Congress by majority vote Elections are decided by a majority of voters Leaders must listen to the voters, or they will not be elected or reelected Political Parties No where in the Constitution does it say anything about Political Parties Helps voters choose their leaders and influence the positions they take on issues Interest groups Interest groups for almost any issue that people might care about Represent Businesses Industries Workers Groups of people Churchgoers Women Minorities.  Some are organized around issues, such as the environment or health care

Popular Participation in Government 9:9 Special Interest Influence Influence government in different ways Rally public opinion Work to elect candidates who promise to listen to them Try to persuade lawmakers and government officials to take actions they favor