 The U.S. Constitution has 4,400 words. It is the oldest and shortest written Constitution of any major government in the world.“  When the U.S. Constitution was written there were 4 million people in the U.S. Today there are 307 million.  The first time the formal term “The United States of America” was used was in the Declaration of Independence.

 Regular elections give people a chance to speak out

“ That government is best which governs least.” Henry David Thoreau

 The federal (national) government has delegated power  The states have reserved power  Concurrent power describes the duties they share

Judicial Review: The Judicial Branch decides if the other branches are acting within the Constitution.

 Responsible for creating laws  “Power of the Purse”  First Accomplishments: › Set up the governments financial system › Organized government departments  Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives  Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)  Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection › Dealt with Revolutionary war debt › Wrote the Bill of Rights › Picked Washington D.C. to be the capital

 Carries out laws  President is the head of the Executive Branch  Vice President: president of Senate/ takes office if needed  The Cabinet › The Cabinet is an advisory body made up of the heads of the 15 executive departments. Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, the members of the Cabinet are often the President's closest confidants.

 Interprets the meaning of laws passed by Congress and set punishments for those who break them.  The Supreme Court  The Constitution › limits judicial power › Created the process for appointing judges  All other aspects where left to Congress to set-up.

 The constitution has been amended 27 times  Amendments can be repealed (ex. Amendment 21 a.k.a Prohibition )  It is difficult to amend

 Been in place for over 220 years  It’s the longest lasting constitution in the world

 The people ARE the government  The people choose their leaders  Power is shared between the state and federal government  Power is divided between three branches of government  It is amendable  It is enduring  Our first amendment is admired around the world.  Our Constitution was written with an “elastic” clause which was used to adapt to modern times.

 We will start with the Preamble of the Constitution.  Please go to the Power Point “The Constitution” for more in depth study of the Constitution.

We the people of the United States, 1. in Order to form a more perfect Union, 2. establish Justice, 3. insure domestic Tranquility, 4. provide for the common defense, 5. promote the general Welfare, 6. and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America.