A More Perfect Union

Ideas That Shape the Constitution Republic: a nation in which voters elect representatives to govern them Americans were the first people to write a constitution setting up a government Many ideas in the Constitution came from other people

League of the Iroquois Used as a model for their idea of unity Member nations governed themselves but joined together for defense At the Constitutional Convention an Iroquois treaty was read, which began “we the people, to form a union…” Similar language was used in the preamble of the United States Constitution

Ideas from Europe England: Magna Carta included limiting power of the ruler Representative government English bill of Rights: protected the right of individuals

Ideas from Europe Enlightenment: to improve society through the use of reason John Locke: 1690 published Two Treatises on Government 2 ideas 1. All people had natural rights to life, liberty, and property 2. Government is an agreement between the ruler and the ruled a. Ruler must enforce laws and protect the people b. If a ruler violates the people’s natural rights the people have a right to rebel

Ideas from Europe Framers of the Constitution drew up the Constitution as a contract between the people and their government

Ideas from Europe Montesquieu: 1748 published The Spirit of Laws Urged that the power of government be divided amongst 3 separate branches Legislative, executive, judicial Separation of powers: division was designed to keep any person or group from gaining too much power Powers of government should be clearly defined to keep individuals or groups from using government power from their own purposes

A Federal System How should they divide power between the national government and the states? Federalism: division of power between states and the national government People elect both national and state officials National government acts for the national as whole. States have power over many local matters

What powers does the federal government have?

Powers are spelled out in the Constitution Coin money, declare war, regulate trade between states and between countries

What powers do states have?

Powers are spelled out in the Constitution. Regulate trade within their state’s borders Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or the people

What powers are shared?

Ex. Build roads, raise taxes

“The supreme law of the land” The Constitution is the supreme law of the land In any disputes between states or states and the national government, the Constitution is the final authority

Separation of Powers Created to keep the government from becoming too powerful

The Legislative branch Congress: to make laws House of Representatives Elected for 2 year terms Senate 6 year terms Article 1 of the Constitution sets out the powers of Congress Collect taxes, regulate foreign and interstate trade, declare war, and raise and support armies

The executive branch Some objected to the executive branch (memories of King George III) Madison argued an executive was needed to balance the legislature

The executive branch Article 2 of the Constitution sets up the Executive branch Headed by the president Vice President Any advisor appointed by the President Serve 4 year terms Carry out all laws passed by Congress Commander and chief of the armed forces Foreign relation

The executive branch Article 3 of the Constitution calls for a Supreme Court and allows Congress to set up other federal courts Hear cases that involve the Constitution or any laws passed by Congress Also cases arising between 2 or more states

Electing the President 1700s news traveled slowly, how would voters get to know a candidate for president? Electoral college; made up of electors from every state Electors meet and vote for the President and Vice president

A System of Checks and Balances Checks and balances: each branch of the federal government has some way to check or control the other two branches

Checks on Congress Bill: proposed law Congress passes a bill which then goes to the president to be signed in to law

Checks on Congress Vetoing: rejecting a bill The president can check the power of Congress by rejecting a bill Overriding: overruling the President’s veto Congress can then check the president by overruling the President’s veto 2/3 of both houses must vote for the bill again A bill can become a law without the signature of the president

Checks on the president Senate must approve presidential appointments Ex. Ambassadors to foreign countries, federal judges President can negotiate a treaty with other countries Treaty only becomes a law with 2/3 of the Senate’s approval

Checks on the Courts President appoints judges that must be approved by the Senate Congress may remove judges from office

A Living Document This system has been working for more than 200 years It is a living document because it can be changed to meet new conditions in the United States