Constitution Day Overview of Government 3 Branches of Government U.S. Constitution Preamble Bill of Rights Purpose of Government Questions / Answers

??????????????????????? Who makes the rules in your home? How are rules enforced in your home? What can you do to change the rules in your home? Who makes the laws in your community? How can you help change a law? Who enforces this law? Who makes the laws for your country? Who carries out the laws? Who enforces the laws? How can you help change the laws?

3 Branches of Government Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch

Legislative Branch Makes laws Made up of 2 houses: - House of Representatives (# based on population) - the Senate (2 Senators per state) * To levy and collect taxes * To borrow money for the public treasury * To make rules and regulations governing commerce among the states and with foreign countries * To make uniform rules for the naturalization of foreign citizens * To coin money, state its value, and provide for the punishment of counterfeiters * To set the standards for weights and measures * To establish bankruptcy laws for the country as a whole * To establish post offices and post roads * To issue patents and copyrights * To set up a system of federal courts * To punish piracy * To declare war * To raise and support armies * To provide for a navy * To call out the militia to enforce federal laws, suppress lawlessness, or repel invasions * To make all laws for the seat of government (Washington, D.C.) * To make all laws necessary to enforce the Constitution

Executive Branch The President of the U.S. His advisory Cabinet Carry out the laws

Interprets the Laws – make sure the laws are being carried out Judicial Branch The Supreme Court - 9 Justices Interprets the Laws – make sure the laws are being carried out

U.S. Constitution

Preamble We the people 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.

Bill of Rights Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to hold meetings Right to bear arms Government cannot force citizens to pay for quartering soldiers Government cannot search a person’s property without good reason 5 – 8. Due process of law. right to a fair, public trial right to an attorney cannot be tried twice for the same crime cannot be given cruel, unusual punishment Right to other freedoms – Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness All other authority belongs to the states/people

The Purpose of Government Questions and Answers List 5 or 6 purposes that you think a government should have. Why do you think each is important? If the President vetoes a bill that Congress has sent to him, how may Congress still make that bill into a law? What rights are given in the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution? In the 2nd? In the 5-8th? In the 19th? How many Senators are there from each state? How many Representatives? Some people say the most important words in the U.S. Constitution are, “We The People…” Do you agree? Why? What does “establish justice” mean? Why is it important in government? Explain the difference between “domestic tranquility” and “providing for the common defense.” What is “the general welfare?” What are some ways to promote it? What are some of the blessings of liberty that you enjoy? How can you help to make sure that future generations can enjoy them, too? What is the purpose of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution? How long is a Presidential term? How long can a person serve as a U.S. President? What are the 3 branches of the U.S. Government? What are their “jobs?”