Business Law I Foundations of Our Constitution Chapter 3 Mr. Kretschmer

Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776 “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights”. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness American War of Independence has already begun.

Articles of Confederation One-house legislature Strict term limits placed on members of Congress Power to declare war, make peace, enter into treaties and alliances, manage relations with Indian nations, coin money, settle differences between states, establish a postal system, and appoint a Commander in Chief National Defense - Paid for by the federal government

Articles of Confederation States are asked to make payments to the national treasury Major bills would require a two-thirds vote Amendments to the Articles would require a unanimous vote of the states

U.S. Constitution Philadelphia - Summer 1787 Seven Articles Our existence as a country began on March 4, 1789 Critics said that it failed to protect human rights Led to the adoption of the Bill of Rights

Bill of Rights First 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution Protected against the violation of human rights from the Federal Government

Bill of Rights Freedom of: Religion Speech Assemble Peacefully Security in Person and Property against unreasonable searches and seizures Right to remain silent if accused of a crime Right to enjoy a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury Right to not be tried for the same crime twice.

Bill of Rights Right to defense counsel in a trial to confront witnesses against oneself Protection against cruel and unusual punishment if convicted of a crime Right to fair compensation for private property taken by the government for public purpose Protection from taking of life, liberty, or property without due process of law

Bill of Rights Well-regulated militia Right to keep and bear arms

Civil Rights Personal, natural rights guaranteed by the Constitution Freedom of speech Freedom of the press Freedom to assemble

Due Process of Law 5th Amendment - No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law

Due Process of Law Due process is assured by guaranteeing: The right to assemble peaceably The right to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures The right not to be a witness oneself in any criminal case In criminal cases, the right to a fair and speedy trail Trial by jury in civil suits Excessive bail will not be required nor excessive fines, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted

More Constitutional Amendments Abolish Slavery - 13th amendment The Right to Vote - 15th amendment In the South they enacted a pole tax, so slaves could not afford to vote Limited States Power - No state shall make laws that contradict the Constitution of the United States

Legislative Branch Senate - 2 members from every state House of Representatives - In Proportion to the size of the state

Executive Branch Headed by the President and Vice- President Not necessarily the president with the most votes wins - Electoral Votes Happened four times , 1876, 1888, President Bush’s First Election

Judicial Branch Headed by the Supreme Court of the United States

Changing the Constitution Amendments - 2 ways: 1.Is proposed by a two-thirds majority vote in both the Senate and the House 2.Legislatures of two thirds of all the states to call a convention of all the states.

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