1. The Constitution

2. Parts of the Constitution
Preamble
Article 1-7
Amendments 1-27

3. Preamble
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

4. Article I. Legislative Branch
Makes the laws
Congress is made up of 2 houses:
House of Representatives
435 members
based on state population
Qualifications:
25 years old
US citizen for at least 7 years
Live in the state elected by
Senate
100 members
All states get 2 representatives
Qualifications:
30 years old
US citizen for at least 9 years
Live in the state elected by

7. What does the Constitution say?
Make laws
Taxing & spending
Borrow money
Establish bankruptcy laws
Coin, print, & regulate money
Punish counterfeiters
Regulate foreign & interstate commerce
Establish laws of naturalization
Establish post offices & post roads
Grant copyrights & patents
Create lower federal courts
Govern Washington, D.C.

8. What does the Constitution say?
Declare War
Raise, support, & regulate an army & navy
Provide, regulate, & call into service a militia (National Guard)
Punish acts committed on international waters & against the laws of nations
Choose the President if a majority cannot be determined
Impeachment proceedings
Confirm Presidential appointments
Ratify treaties
Amend the Constitution

9. What does the Constitution say?
Elastic Clause: Provide for laws “necessary & proper” for carrying out all other listed powers
Article 1 Sc. 8
Example:
power to establish laws of naturalization – IMPLIES the power to limit the number of immigrants to the US
Power to call up militia – IMPLIES the right to draft people into service

10. Article II. Executive Branch
Enforce the laws
President & his cabinet
Cabinet – a group of advisors that help the president make decisions in certain areas.
President:
Qualifications:
35 years old
natural born citizen
must live in the U.S. for at least 14 years

11. Article III. Judicial Branch
Interpret the laws
Courts, judges, etc.
Constitution only talks about the Supreme Court which is made up of 9 Justices.
Justices are selected by the President & approved by the Senate.
Cannot be removed unless they do something illegal.

12. Supreme Court

13. Article IV Relations between the States
“full faith and credit clause” – states must honor the laws, court decisions, & records of other states.

14. Article V Amending (changing) the Constitution Step 1: Proposal
Step 2: Ratification

15. Article VI National Supremacy
“Supremacy clause” – recognizes that the Constitution, laws passed by Congress, & treaties entered into by the US are the “supreme law of the land.”

16. Article VII Ratification
Explains the ratification of the Constitution by 9/13 of states

17. Major Principles of the U.S. Constitution
popular sovereignty
republicanism
limited government
federalism
separation of powers
checks & balances
individual rights