The US Constitution

Constitution (cont.) Parts of the Constitutions Preamble – Introduction Article I – Legislative Branch Article II – Executive Branch Article III – Judicial Branch Article IV – Relations among States Article V – Amending the Constitution Article VI – National Debt, Supremacy of National Law, and Oaths of Office Article VII – Ratifying the Constitution

Preamble To form a more perfect union… Stronger national government Promote loyalty Unite people Make the US one country

Preamble To establish justice… Peaceful way to settle disputes Fair, orderly system of justice Consistent court system

Preamble To ensure domestic tranquility… Protecting citizens from crime Maintaining law and order

Preamble To provide for the common defense… Defending against foreign enemies Providing and using the military to protect citizens

Preamble To promote the general welfare… Providing needed services such as health care, education Dealing with natural disasters Helping citizens during times of need such as the elderly or disabled

Preamble To secure the blessing of liberty… Protect individual rights Equal rights to all citizens Equal protection and treatment

Basics of the Constitution (Separation of Powers) Branch Legislative Executive Judicial

Executive Branch Branch Executive (15 departments) Cabinet Vice - President President And

Executive Branch Powers of the Executive Branch Directs Foreign Policy Commander – in – Chief of the Military Representative of all Americans Carry out and enforce the nations laws Power of veto Cabinet appointments Federal justice appointments

House of Representatives Legislative Branch Branch Legislative *two members from (100 members) Each state Senate House of Representatives *membership from each State is based on (435 members) Population

Legislative Branch Powers of the Legislative Branch Make and pass laws Control government spending Watchdog of the executive branch Ability to impeach any federal official Propose amendments Override vetoes Ratifies treaties Declare war

Judicial Branch Branch Judicial Supreme Court (9 justices) Appellate Courts Military Courts US court of Appeals For the Federal circuits

Judicial Branch Powers of the Judicial Branch Supreme Court Highest Court Power of Judicial Review (it can review laws and decide whether the laws are constitutional) Hear appeals

Judicial Branch Powers of the Judicial Branch Federal Courts Courts that hear cases that come under federal law Appeal Courts Consider district courts decision in which the losing side has asked for a review of the verdict

Federalism Federalism – A system of government in which a written constitution divides power between a central, or national, government and several regional governments

Federalism

Examples of the National Government’s Powers Establish a postal system Set weights and measures Regulate interstate and foreign trade Raise and support armed forces Declare war Make peace Coin and print money Grant patents and copyrights Establish federal courts Govern territories and admit new states Regulate immigration

Examples of the Powers Reserved to the States Regulate trade within the state Write business and corporation laws Establish and maintain public schools Establish local governments Pass marriage and divorce laws Conduct elections Ratify constitutional amendments Pass license requirements for professionals Regulate alcoholic beverages

Concurrent Powers (Powers of both the federal & state governments) Levy and collect taxes Borrow money Make and enforce laws Establish and maintain courts Charter banks Provide for public welfare Define crimes and set punishments Claim private property for public use