The United States Constitution

The U.S. Constitution Preamble - Introduction Purpose Form a more perfect Union. Establish justice. Insure domestic tranquility. Provide for the common defense. Promote the general welfare. Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.

Seven Principles of the Constitution

Popular Sovereignty Who Gives the Government Its Power? “We the People of the United States . . .” People Rule

Republicanism How Are People’s Views Represented? Vote for representative. Why? Fear that public opinion might not be the best!

Federalism Nation & states share powers. National State Government Concurrent Powers -Shared Enumerated Powers Reserved Powers

Separation of Powers How Is Power Divided? Why? Division of Government into Branches Why? No single branch has too much power. Executive Branch Legislative Branch Judicial Branch Makes the laws. Enforces the laws. Interprets the laws.

Checks & Balances How Is Power Evenly Distributed? Each branch excises checks or controls over the others. Examples: Congress passes laws President can veto a law by refusing to sign the bill into action. Supreme Court can declare the law unconstitutional

Limited government How is Abuse of Power Prevented? Powers that are denied. Examples: No preference shall be given to one state over another States shall not issue $

Individual Rights How Are Personal Freedoms Protected? The Bill of Rights First Ten Amendments Guaranteed Example: Right to meet peacefully (assemble). Free speech.

Legislative Branch Make the Laws Duties Pass laws, taxes, & $ bills Declares war Approves treaties & presidential appointments Impeach president Print & coin $ Regulates trade

Bicameral Congress House of Representatives Number of Reps based on population Missouri has 8 reps (710,767 each, approx.) We live in the 8th district Jo Ann Emerson (R) Serves a 2 year term Why? Deal with more local issues & these can change more quickly

Senate Number of Reps based on equal representation Two per state Claire McCaskill (D) & Roy Blunt (R) Serves 6 year term Why? Provides more time & power More stable than House 3 classes of senator 1/3 voted on every 2 years So you don’t have 100 new Senators each term

How a Bill Becomes a Law Committee approve, rewrite, kill Introduce in House/Senate Floor debate & vote President signs or vetoes Committees work out final revision Final vote in both houses 2/3 vote to override veto Becomes a law.

Industrial, Urban, High-tech Elastic Clause Known as “Necessary & Proper” Clause Congress may use “all means which are appropriate, . . . Which are not prohibited” Allows future generations to expand the meaning of the Constitution. 13 States 50 States Industrial, Urban, High-tech Agriculture, Rural. 4 Million People 275 Million People

Duties Executive Branch - Enforces the Laws Commander in Chief Military Leader (Responsible!) Chief Executive Solves Problems, Makes Major Decisions Chief Diplomat Foreign Policy Maker Makes treaties – 2/3 Senate approval Represents Us. Legislative Leader Provides direction, focus for Congress

Qualifications & Elections Serves 4 year term Serve only 2 terms Must be a “natural-born” citizen Electoral College – elects president Electors = Number of Reps & Senators of State Missouri has ? 10 electors Winner takes all (except Nebraska & Maine)

Executive - Other Vice-President Impeachment Why? President of the Senate Only votes when there is a tie. Impeachment Why? Treason, bribery, other high crimes Process House brings charges Senate conducts trial Chief Justice presides Example of Checks & Balances

The Judicial Branch – Interprets the Laws Duties Judicial Review Determine if a law is Constitutional! Does it violate the constitution & individual rights!

Selection Appointed by President Lifetime appointment Approved by Senate Lifetime appointment Why? To insure impartiality & protect from outside pressures & influence!

Federal Court System Supreme Court 12 U.S. Courts of Appeal Highest court in the Land 12 U.S. Courts of Appeal Hear trials on appeal 94 U.S. District Courts Federal Trials

Checks & Balances Executive Judicial Legislative Appoint judges Grant Pardons Impeach President Override Veto Control Spending Don’t approve appointments or treaties Declare Exec. Act Unconstitutional Lifetime Appoint. –Free from control Executive Veto Acts of Congress Call special sessions of Congress Suggest Laws, Guide Agenda Judicial Legislative Check on Congress Judicial Rev –Declare acts of Congress Unconstitutional Check on court Impeach judges Don’t approve appointments