1. Aim: Explain the importance of the Preamble the important terms of the Constitution. Do Now: What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

2. Preamble  “We the People…”  The people are the rulers Not the king or courts

3. The Preamble—The Introduction to the Constitution  Two main Questions found in the Preamble: 1. Why they are writing it? (to form a more perfect union) 2. What are the goals to be reached? (establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty)

4. Introduction to the U.S. Constitution  Written in Philadelphia  Original intent was to revise the Articles  James Madison was the “Father” of the Constitution  39 men signed it in 1787

5. Constitution  How the Constitution is divided: 1. Articles—the major divisions 2. Sections--- divisions of an article 3. Clauses---divisions of a section Example- Article 1 Section 8 Clause 18

6. Aim: Describe the branches of government in detail. Do Now: What are the three branches of government and what do they do?

7. Three Branches  Legislative – make the laws (Congress)  Executive – enforce the laws (President)  Judicial – interpret the laws (Courts)

8. Terms  Three branches – legislative, executive, judicial  Checks and balances – ability of each branch to exercise checks over the other branches  Federalism – system of government in which the states and the national government share power  Enumerated powers – powers given to national gov’t  Reserved powers – powers reserved to states  Concurrent powers – shared powers of states and national gov’t

11. Aim: Describe the branches of government in detail. Do Now: List two powers that only Congress has.

12. Legislative Branch  Power to make the laws  Senate 2 from each state 6 year term At least 30 yrs old and 9 yrs a citizen V.P. is president of Senate and votes to break ties only Votes on impeachment trials (2/3 to be guilty) Impeachment – government official is accused of unlawful activity

13. Legislative Branch  House of Representatives Based on population of state Voted every 2 years At least 25 yrs old and 7 yrs a citizen of US

14. Legislative Branch  Bill – a proposed law  Bills need to have a majority vote (one more than half) to pass  Bill passed by both houses goes to Pres. to sign  President can sign or veto  Veto – to cancel  Congress can override the veto with 2/3 vote

15. How does a bill become a law?  First method—passes one house by majority vote, passes second house by majority vote, goes to president, president signs it into law  Second method—passes one house by majority vote, passes second house by majority vote, goes to president, president vetoes, goes back to house it originated in and must pass by 2/3 vote, then goes to next house and must pass by 2/3 vote to become a law

16. Power of Congress  Collect taxes  Borrow money  Regulate interstate trade  Coin money  Set up federal courts  Declare war  Maintain an army and navy  The Elastic Clause Article 1 Section 8 Clause 18 – “necessary and proper” to carry out powers – make laws not specifically mentioned in Constitution Expands the powers of Congress

17. Executive Branch  President and Vice President – 4 yr term At least 35 years old Must be born in the U.S. Resident of U.S. for at least 14 years

18. Homework  Explain, in detail, the legislative and executive branches.

19. Aim: Describe the last Articles of the Constitution. Do Now: Take out homework – paragraph

20. Executive Branch  Powers of president  Chief legislator – veto (reject) power bills Congress can override with 2/3 vote  Commander-in-chief – head of armed forces  Chief diplomat – negotiates treaties with countries Makes foreign policy with other countries  Pardons

21. Executive Branch  Electoral college elects president State # of electors = Senators + Representatives If win the majority of votes in that state, that candidate wins all of those electors Need ½ electors in college to win election

23. Executive Branch  Report to Congress annually  Oath of office to protect the Constitution  Impeachment – government official is accused of unlawful activity High crime or misdemeanor 2/3 of Senate vote removes from office

24. Judicial Branch  1 Chief Justice(judge) and 8 associate judges  Federal judges can hold office for life if not impeached  Try cases involving Constitution Federal laws Treaties

25. Judicial Branch  Treason – betraying one’s country Wage war against U.S. Give aid to its enemies  Congress may decide punishment for treason

26. States and the Federal Government  Acts of one state must be recognized by other states  Congress admits new states to the Union  Federal lands in a state is federal property  Federal government will protect every state from invasion

27. Powers Denied to Federal Government  Cannot take away habeas corpus – the right a person has from not being held in prison without formal charges of a crime  Ex post facto law – cannot be punished for a law that someone broke before the law was passed Example Betty Boone sells fireworks on July 4th - On July 10th, Congress passes a law that makes it illegal to sell fireworks and tries to punish Betty for what she did on July 4th

28. Amending the Constitution  Constitution may be amended, or changed Need 2/3 vote of both houses of Congress Also need ¾ of state governments to approve  Makes it a living document Can be changed throughout time Life different today than it was in 1780s

29. General Provisions  Constitution and federal laws are the supreme law of the land Outweigh state laws  Separation of church and state Oath to protect Constitution No religious requirement

30. Bill of Rights  Rights of the people  First Ten Amendments that ensure the people’s basic rights.

31. Bill of Rights – First 10 Amendments  1. individual 5 freedoms  2. right to own weapons  3. free from having troops housed in home  4. protection from unlawful searches  5. freedom from self-incrimination  6. right to speedy and public trial  7. right to trial by jury  8. freedom from excessive punishments  9. citizen’s freedoms not limited to those in Constitution  10. all power not belonging to the nation or state belongs to the people