1. 9/23 AIM: The National Government of the United States of America
Separation of Power A System of Checks and Balances
Do Now: Take out handout on The Organization of the US Constitution. Did you make a new unit last week on the constitution? Did you take test last week? Problems with castle learning?

3. Constitution Packet – Page 2
Constitutional Convention a.
b. Who, Where, When, Why, and How
55 delegates such as Alexander Hamilton and James Madison met in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787 to create a new government called the constitution.

4. Packet Remember to label each a,b,c Underline/highlight key words
Answer all terms
Write out questions and answers on the last page
Keep topics on separate pages

5. Handout: The Organization of the US Constitution

6. Constitution
Using a constitution complete the handout. Will go over in a few minutes. Work together…do not divide up the work!!!!!!!

7. Article I: Legislative Branch House of Representatives
Length of term: 2 years
Must be at least 25 years old
Must be a citizen for at least 7 years
Total number of Representatives: 435

8. Why called the people’s house? districts
Population count = census

9. Article I: Legislative Branch Senate
Length of term: 6 years
Must be at least 30 years old
Must be a citizen for at least 9 years
Total number of Representatives: 100

11. Powers Granted. Powers Denied levy taxes. habeas corpus borrow $
Powers Granted Powers Denied levy taxes habeas corpus borrow $ ex post facto laws coin $ declare war

12. Article II: Executive Branch President/ VP
Length of term: 4 years
Must be at least 35 years old
Must be a citizen for at least (lived here 14 years but been born here)

13. Roles of the President Enforce laws Veto laws Make treaties
Appoint Judges

14. The President/VP are elected by a body of electors known as the electoral college. This is known as the “winner takes all” system. The major criticism of this system is a candidate could win the popular vote but not win the election.

15. Article III: Judicial Branch Supreme Court
Length of term: life
Appointed by the President and approved by the Senate

16. Powers of the Supreme Court
Judicial Interpretation
Judicial Review

17. Article IV
New states can be added

18. Article V
This article discusses the method in which the Constitution can be changed, in other words, the “amending process”. In order to add an amendment to the Constitution, it must first be approved by a 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress, and then by ¾ of the states.

19. Article VI
This article established the supremacy of the federal laws and treaties over state laws, and guarantees payment of the public debt.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS HIGHER THAN THE STATES

20. Article VII
This article describes how the US Constitution was to be approved. This is known as the Ratification process

21. Anything about our rights/ protections/ freedoms?

23. Questions: Copy and Answer
Why do you think the Founding Fathers created the system of checks and balances?
What do separation of powers and checks and balances have in common?
Why is the role of the judicial branch so critical in the system of checks and balances?