1. The Constitution The Constitution is the supreme law of the land
The framework for American Government

2. Preamble The introduction to the Constitution is called the Preamble.
The Preamble begins with the phrase “We the people…”
This means that the government is based on the consent of the people.

3. Amendment A change in the Constitution
There have been 27 amendments to the Constitution.
The first 10 amendments are called the Bill of Rights.

4. Legislative Branch
The legislative branch is called Congress and is made up of two Houses (parts): The House of Representatives and the Senate.

5. The House of Representatives
States with the largest populations have the most representatives in the House.
House members must be at least 25 years old or older to serve.
House members are elected to a two year term.
There are 435 members in the House of Representatives.

6. The Senate The Senate is the other part of the Congress
There are two senators for each state, which means of course there are 100 Senators.
Senators must be at least 30 years old.
Senators are elected to a six year term.

7. The Executive Branch The executive branch is headed by the president.
The president is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

8. The President The president is elected to a four year term.
The president can only serve two terms.
The president must be a citizen by birth
The president must be at least 35 years old.

9. The Judicial Branch
The Judicial Branch of the federal government is headed by the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court justices are nominated by the president and approved by the Senate.
There are 9 Supreme Court justices, who are appointed for life.

11. Federalism
The power of government is also split between the states and the federal government.
This is called Federalism.
If the Constitution does not have a law, the states can do what they want.
State law cannot contradict federal law.

12. Why do we need Government?
John Locke would answer this question by saying that government exists to protect our property rights.
How would you answer this question?

13. Delegated Powers: Powers that are only given to the National Government.
To regulate trade
To raise and support the Armed Forces
To admit new states
To coin money
Making foreign policy
To declare war
Create Post Offices
Make all laws that are necessary and proper to carry out these powers

14. Reserved Powers: Powers reserved only for the states.
Establish local governments
Conduct elections
Regulate business within the state
Establish schools
Make marriage laws
Assume all other powers not delegated to the national government or prohibited to the states

15. Concurrent Powers: Shared powers between national and state governments
Maintain law and order
Levy taxes
Borrow money
Charter banks
Establish courts
Provide for the public welfare

16. Montesquieu:
In a true state of nature, indeed, all men are born equal, but they cannot continue in this equality. Society makes them lose it, and they recover it only by the protection of laws."
Checks and Balances

17. Checks and Balances
The framers of the Constitution established a system of checks and balances to prevent any branch government from getting too powerful.
Example: Congress has the right to pass bills into law, but the president can veto them, which means the bill does not become a law.

18. More examples
If the president vetoes a law, the Congress can override his veto by a 2/3 majority.
The Supreme Court can say that any law is unconstitutional. The law no longer exists.

19. Supremacy Clause:
The federal constitution and all federal laws outrank state constitutions and state laws.
Constitution “the supreme law of the land”
This is Article VI of the Constitution

20. Dual Sovereignty
Dual Sovereignty means that whatever the federal government does not make a law about, the states can act however they choose.
That is why there is different state laws regarding the age of drinking alcohol, driving, the death penalty, and many more.

21. Review Questions: Why did Locke say that government was needed?
What are delegated powers? Reserved Powers? Concurrent?
Give an example of each type of power.
Who’s idea was it that a republic should consist of Checks and Balances?
Where in the Constitution could you find the Supremacy Clause?