1. United States Constitution

2. Origins John Locke Baron de Montesquieu Two Treaties of Government
all people had the same natural rights of life, liberty, and property
Primary purpose of government is to protect those natural rights
Baron de Montesquieu
Enlightenment Philosopher
Separation of powers
Checks and balances of government branches

3. Powers of Congress Legislative Branch
Bicameral: House of Representatives & the Senate (Congress)
Power to make law
Approve Treaties
Impeach or remove President or other high level officials
Controls the print of money
Supports (financially) the Armed Forces
Declare War
Regulate foreign and domestic trade

4. Executive Branch President and Vice President Propose law
Veto Legislation or approve Legislation
Commander in Chief of Armed Forces
Negotiate Foreign Treaties
Appoint Federal Judges
Can grant pardons for Federal offenses

5. Judicial Branch Supreme Court and Other Lower Federal Courts
Judge the law based up the Constitution
Can declare Executive actions unconstitutional

6. The Federal System National Powers
Reserved JUST for the National Government or issues
Trade
War
Armed Forces
Federal Courts
Money
Admit new States
Concurrent Powers
Aka SHARED Powers
Public welfare
Criminal justice
Borrow money
Collect taxes
Reserved Powers
Reserved JUST for the States
Trade w/in State
Schools
Local govt.
Marriage and divorce laws
Elections
Public safety
Corporation laws

7. Checks and Balances JUDICIAL BRANCH How it checks the…
Legislative Branch
Declare acts of Congress unconstitutional
Executive Branch
Judges appointed for life
Free from executive control
Executive orders can be declared unconstitutional
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
How it checks the…
Judicial Branch
Congress creates lower courts
Senate approves or rejects Judicial appointments
Executive Branch
Override Presidential Vetoes
Funds or approves funds for executive actions
Impeachment powers
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
How it checks the…
Judicial Branch
Appoints Federal Judges
Appoints Supreme Court Justices
Legislative Branch
Veto Legislation
Call special sessions of Congress
Recommend Legislation

8. Bill of Rights / Amendments
1st TEN Amendments to the U.S. Constitution
1. Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, Petition
2. Bear Arms
3. Quartering Troops (not in homes)
4. Searches and Seizures
5. Criminal Procedures, Due Process, Eminent Domain
6. Criminal Proceedings
7. Civil Trials
8. Punishments for Crimes (unusual punishments)
9. Unremunerated Rights
10. Powers Reserved to the States
Amendments
Additions or changes to the U.S. Constitution
27 Amendments in all
2/3 Vote of Congress