1. The Principles of the United States Constitution

2. The Constitution was written in 1787 by
55 men we call the Framers of the Constitution.
These men included
George Washington and Ben Franklin.

3. The people hold the ultimate authority
I. Popular Sovereignty
The people hold the ultimate authority
A representative democracy lets the people elect leaders to make decisions for them.

4. Framers wanted to guard against tyranny
II. Limited Government
Framers wanted to guard against tyranny
Government is limited to the power given them in the Constitution.
The Constitution tells how leaders who overstep their power can be removed.

5. The division of power between State and National Governments
III. Federalism
The division of power between State and National Governments
Some powers are shared
The National Government has the “supreme power”

6. IV. Separation of Powers
No one holds “too much” power
Legislative branch makes the laws
Executive branch carries out the laws
Judicial branch interprets/explains the laws

7. How it all works

8. Legislative Branch – HAS 2 PARTS
The Senate – 100 members, 2 Senators per state
The House of Representatives members , largest populations have the most representatives
What does it do?
*Make our laws
*Appropriate Money
*Regulate Immigration
*Establish Post Offices and Roads
*Regulate Interstate Trade and Transportation
*Declare War

9. Judicial Branch Supreme Court and other Federal Courts
What does it do?
Preserve and protect the rights guaranteed by the Constitution
Considers cases involving national laws
Declares laws and acts “unconstitutional”
There are 9 Supreme Court justices, who are appointed for life.

10. The President of the United States “Commander in Chief”
Executive Branch
The President of the United States
“Commander in Chief”
The president is elected to a 4 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.

11. V. Checks and Balances
Prevents the abuse of power in government
Each branch can check each other branch

12. Propose laws to Congress Veto laws made by Congress
Executive Checks
Propose laws to Congress
Veto laws made by Congress
Negotiate foreign treaties
Appoint federal judges
Grant pardons to federal offenders

13. Legislative Checks
Override president’s veto
Ratify treaties
Confirm executive appointments
Impeach federal officers and judges
Create and dissolve lower federal courts

14. Declare executive acts unconstitutional Declare laws unconstitutional
Judicial Checks
Declare executive acts unconstitutional
Declare laws unconstitutional
Declare acts of Congress unconstitutional
The Supreme Court holds the final check

15. PARTS OF OUR U.S. CONSTITUTION
Page Civics Today
PREAMBLE
- Opening that tells why the Constitution was written.
ARTICLE 1
- Legislative Branch – House of Representatives & a Senate
ARTICLE 2
- Executive Branch – President & Vice President, elections for them, President’s powers and duties.
ARTICLE 3
- Judicial Branch – Supreme Court, interprets laws and sees that they are fairly applied.
ARTICLES 4-7
Article #4 - says states are protected by federal gov’t., says how new states are made
Article #5 - says how amendments to constitution are made
Article #6 - says Federal government laws rule over state laws
Article #7 - says that 9 states had to approve of the 1st Constitution for it to take effect.

16. Amending the Constitution
The Constitution provides for its own amendment , for changes in its written words.
Article V sets out two methods for the proposal and two methods for the ratification of constitutional amendments, creating four possible methods of formal amendment.

17. Formal Amendment Process
The four different ways by which amendments may be added to the Constitution are shown here:

18. Amendments to the Constitution
Collectively, the first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. They set out many of our basic freedoms.