The U.S. Constitution IConstitution

What does it actually do? Intro Intro What does it actually do?

Preamble Constitution

Constitution Preamble We the people…. To form a more perfect union Establish justice Ensure domestic tranquility Provide for the common defense Promote the general welfare Secure the blessings of liberty

Constitution Preamble “We the People” important because it indicates the Constitution is an agreement between the people of America, not the states all positions elected (some indirectly) by the people Govt. designed to serve the people

Seven Articles Constitution

The Legislative Branch Constitution Article 1 The Legislative Branch Creates a bicameral Congress (House & Senate) Sets formal requirements for Congressmen Expressed powers of Congress Sets up elections, districts, and redistricting

Constitution Article 2 The Executive Branch Establishes the President & Executive Branch Requirements for President Establishes Electoral College and elections Expressed powers of the President

Constitution Article 3 The Judicial Branch Establishes the Supreme Court Grants Congress power to make lower courts Defines jurisdiction and treason

Relations Among the States Constitution Article 4 Relations Among the States Agreements between states Official documents from state to state Admission of new states Guarantees of “republican government”

Constitution Article 5 Making Amendments How to formally amend the Constitution Involves majorities of both national & state govts. Reflects federalism & consent of states

Constitution Article 6 Supremacy Clause Constitution is “Supreme Law of the Land” National law supersedes state law

Constitution Article 7 Ratification Means the states must approve the arrangement in order for it to take effect 3/4 states are required to ratify

Amendment Process ( Art. V) Constitution

Constitution Formal Amendments Proposed by: Ratified by: 2/3 of both houses of Congress 3/4 of state legislatures 2/3 of states call a national amendment writing convention 3/4 of states have ratifying conventions Always at national level Always at state level

Constitution Amendments Reflects Federalism Both national govt and states involved. Only national can propose altering “the plan”. No state can States agreed to “the plan”. They must agree to any changes 3/4 ratification threshold same as Constitution

Amendments Constitution

Constitution Bill of Rights What they do… Guarantee rights to ALL citizens Set limits on what the govt. can do to you. Protect the rights of the accused Allow for future interpretation

First Amendment: Freedom of.. Constitution Bill of Rights First Amendment: Freedom of.. Religion Speech Press Assembly {Petition

Constitution Bill of Rights Second Amendment Right to Bear Arms Third Amendment No quartering of troops

Fourth – Eighth Amendments deal with “Rights of the Accused” Constitution Bill of Rights Fourth – Eighth Amendments deal with “Rights of the Accused” Fourth Amendment No Illegal searches / seizure of property Fifth Amendment No self - incrimination No Double Jeopardy Due process of law Eminent Domain

Fourth – Eighth Amendments deal with “Rights of the Accused” Constitution Bill of Rights Fourth – Eighth Amendments deal with “Rights of the Accused” Sixth Amendment Speedy & Public Trial / Right to Counsel Seventh Amendment Jury in Civil Cases Eighth Amendment No Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Constitution Bill of Rights Ninth Amendment Rights Reserved to the People Tenth Amendment Powers Reserved to the states

Constitution Amendments The first ten amendments limit the power of the national government. The rest change the rules and procedures of the government Eleventh Amendment Lawsuits against states Twelfth Amendment Changes to Electoral College

Constitution Amendments Thirteenth Amendment Abolition of Slavery Fourteenth Amendment Citizenship rights for former slaves Fifteenth Amendment Voting rights regardless of race (all males)

Seventeenth Amendment Constitution Amendments Sixteenth Amendment Income Tax Seventeenth Amendment Direct Election of Senators Eighteenth Amendment Prohibition of Alcohol Nineteenth Amendment Voting Rights for regardless of gender

Constitution Amendments Twentieth Amendment End of “Lame Duck period” Twenty-first Amendment End of Prohibition!!! Twenty-Second Amendment Two Term Limit for the President

Constitution Amendments Twenty-third Amendment Voting Rights for Washington D.C. Twenty-fourth Amendment No poll tax Twenty-Fifth Amendment Presidential Succession

Constitution Amendments Twenty-sixth Amendment Voting Age changed to 18 Twenty-seventh Amendment Pay Raises for Congress

Constitution Voting Amendments 15th Amendment 19th Amendment 23rd Amendment 24th Amendment 26th Amendment

Constitution Procedure Changes 12th Amendment 17th Amendment

Constitution New Policies 13th Amendment 16th Amendment 18th Amendment

Characteristics Constitution

Constitution Characteristics Written Constitution Makes arrangements more permanent People know what the rules are, they aren’t made up by each administration Clearly & absolutely sets forth what the govt. can and cannot do. No branch is supreme, the constitution is supreme

Republican Government Constitution Characteristics Republican Government All power can ultimately be traced back to the people Power derived from all of society, not from a small portion of it None of the offices are hereditary, all power must be occasionally reaffirmed by the people No branch is supreme, the constitution is supreme

Constitution Characteristics Separation of Powers Derived from “enlightenment” and from British govt. Power divided among 3 branches, each made of people somewhat responsible to people Separation of legislature & executive important. Law-making & implementing are separate Each branch keeps the others from becoming too powerful

Constitution Characteristics Federalism Power separated both “horizontally” & “vertically” The federal government’s powers are spelled out and limited. Govts. Serve as “checks” on one another Constitution is a “more perfect union”

Constitution Characteristics Interpretation Many provisions are vague/open to interpretation of officials. Does government only have those powers specifically spelled out? Does the government have any inherent powers? How exactly do the roles of the branches overlap? What is the role of the courts?

Bigly Ideas Constitution

History Wrap Up Making Amendments Bill of Rights Articles I - VII Types of Amendments Focus on these things: