The Constitution

Origins Ancient Greek and Roman origins representative democracy balanced and limited government John Locke and natural rights (ex. life, liberty, and the protection of property) Montesquieu and separation of powers  each branch of government should have different roles

Why have a written constitution? Americans felt that the British had wronged them, and wanted to make sure that the certain rights could not be changed or even taken away from them. A written constitution was a way to outline all of the principles of government and the rights of the people, which could last for generations.

Preamble We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Organization The Constitution is composed of seven parts, which are called articles. They are: The Legislature (Congress) The Executive (President) The Judiciary (Court System, Supreme Court) Relations Among States Amending the Constitution Supremacy of National Government Ratification

Article I: The Legislature TWO houses of government Bicameral  2 houses Unicameral  1 house The Senate and The House of Representatives Why are there two houses?

Total Members in Congress: 535 (or 541) House of Representatives: 435 Senate: 100

Impact of Census Data

What are the requirements to be a U.S. Senator or Representative?

Representative Requirements At least one Representative from each state; determined by population Elected every two years Must be at least 25 years old Must have been a U.S. citizen for at least seven years Must live in the state you represent

Senator Requirements 2 Senators from each state 1/3 of the Senators are elected every other year (6 year terms) Why would they do this? Must be at least 30 years old Must have been a U.S. citizen for at least nine years Must live in the state you represent

Vice President and Officers The members of the Senate and the House of Representatives elect their own officers. The Vice President of the United States is the President of the Senate. The leader of the House of Representatives is the Speaker of the House.

Powers of Congress According to Section 8, Congress has the power to: collect taxes spend for the general welfare borrow money regulate commerce among the states and between countries regulate immigration coin money regulate mail regulate patents and copyrights declare war raise and support military forces establish federal courts “necessary and proper clause”

Necessary and Proper Clause “To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers.” Also called the “elastic clause” Gives Congress the power to make laws about topics that were not an issue when the constitution was written Can you think of examples of this?

Powers Denied to Congress Section 9 states that Congress cannot: suspend the Writ of Habeas Corpus requires government to bring a prisoner to court and explain why they are being held pass ex post facto laws can not punish someone for a law that was passed after they did something favor one state over another grant titles of nobility no one can be a King, Queen, etc.

Powers Denied to the States The state governments can not pass any laws that are inconsistent with federal laws example: marriage equality States are not allowed to: coin money make treaties or alliances tax other states keep troops or engage in war

The Executive Branch The President

Presidential Requirements Must be born in the United States Must be at least 35 years old Must have lived in the United States for 14 years 22nd Amendment: 2-term limit 25th Amendment: If the President dies while in office, the Vice President takes over

Electoral College We do not directly elect the President. Instead, voters select their choice for president on the ballot. Whichever candidate wins the majority vote in that state gains all of the electors for that state. This approach is called Winner Take All.

2016 Presidential Election Results What might be the benefits of a Winner Take All system?

Powers of the President Some of the power of the President include: nominate judges to the Supreme Court pardon criminals who have broken the law makes treaties with other countries Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces can create a Cabinet of advisors can veto legislation passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives

Limits to the Executive Veto can be overridden if 2/3rd of the Senate and the House of Representatives agree Congress can impeach the president due to misconduct, and remove him or her from office The House of Representatives can impeach, and the Senate holds a trial on the accusations No President has been impeached AND removed from office.

The Judiciary Supreme Court

Supreme Court Justice 9 justices Appointed by the President one Chief Justice of the United States eight associate justices Appointed by the President Appointed for life; no term limits No age requirements

Powers of the Supreme Court Highest Federal Court Hears cases arise from the Constitution, federal laws, or treaties Hears cases of appeal from all state courts or lower courts as needed Judicial Review: power to determine if a law is constitutional or not

Limits to the Judiciary Justices can only decide the cases that come before them and cannot act on their own Justices can be removed from office or impeached for bad behavior. Congress can pass an amendment to overturn a Supreme Court Decision.

Article IV: The States full faith and credit requires each state to recognize the laws and court decisions of every other state privileges and immunities states cannot discriminate against citizens from other states Congress can admit new states to the Union

Article V: How to Pass an Amendment Step 1:Amendments must be proposed by 2/3rds of both houses. Step 2: Amendment must be approved by 3/4ths of states. Only 27 amendments have been proposed and approved.

Article VI: Supremacy of National Government All debts from before the Constitution are still valid The Constitution, all U. S. laws, and U.S. Treaties are to be the “Supreme Law of the Land” No state or local law can go above national laws and treaties. Layer Cake Analogy: Frosting (on the top): Constitution Top Layer: Federal/National Gov’t Middle Layer: State Gov’t. Bottom Layer: Local Gov’t

Article VII: Ratification 9 of the 13 states needed to ratify, or pass, the Constitution

Image Credits Slide 7: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Electoral_map_2012- 2020.svg/600px-Electoral_map_2012-2020.svg.png Slide 8: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/2010_census_reappor tionment.svg/600px-2010_census_reapportionment.svg.png Slide 9: http://www.brecorder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/us-senate-1024- 1.jpg Slide 17: http://thecollaboratory.wdfiles.com/local--files/american-government- 2013/united-states-president-symbol-logo.jpg Slide 20: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/United_States_preside ntial_election_results_by_county%2C_2016.svg/1280px- United_States_presidential_election_results_by_county%2C_2016.svg.png Slide 22: Andrew Johnson: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/President_Andrew_Johnson.jpg Bill Clinton: http://www.historyplace.com/specials/calendar/docs-pix/clinton.jpg Richard Nixon: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/Richard_Nixon,_official_bw_photo,_head_ and_shoulders.jpg