1. US Constitution
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. US Constitution 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. US Constitution 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
2 year term
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
Naturalized citizen
Must be born in the U.S.
Or parents are citizens of America
Resident of U.S. for at least 14 years

18. 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

19. 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

21. ELECTORAL COLLEGE POST IT STATE NAME # OF ELECTORS GIVEN BY MR. G
REPUBLICAN VS. DEMOCRAT
YOU WILL DECIDE THE PERCENTAGE OF THE VOTE AND WHO WINS

22. 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

23. 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

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

25. US Constitution
Aim: Describe the importance of the Bill of Rights, specifically the 1st Amendment.
Do Now: What is the purpose of Amendments?
US Constitution Notes Online

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. Voltaire
“I may not believe in what you say, but I’ll defend, to the death, your right to say it.

32. 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