1. Constitution 101: An Introduction & Overview to the US Constitution

2. What is the Constitution?
The supreme law of the United States.
It is the foundation and source of the legal authority underlying the existence of the United States of America and the Federal Government of the United States.
It provides the framework for the organization of the United States Government.

3. What are the basic principals of the Constitution?
Self-Government
Government power resides in the people
Limited Government
Government is not all powerful, can only do what the people let it.
Separation of Powers
Helps prevent one branch from becoming too powerful
Checks and Balances
Federalism
Division of power among national and state governments

4. What are Checks and Balances?

5. Who Wrote It?
James Madison is considered “the father of the Constitution.”
His important contributions:
The Virginia Plan
Separation of Powers
Bill of Rights

6. When was it written? May 25th to September 17th, 1787
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Intention was to revise Articles of Confederation
Ended up replacing the Articles and creating a new government
Called the “Constitutional Convention.”

7. Structure of the Constitution
Preamble:
Statement of purpose
Articles:
I: Legislative Branch
II: Executive Branch
III: Judicial Branch
IV: Relations Among the States
V: Amendment Process
VI: Federal Power
VII: Ratification
Amendments:
27 Total
First ten are Bill of Rights

8. Introduction: The Preamble

9. What does the Preamble say?
The Preamble introduces the Constitution and explains what the Constitution is meant to do.
Hint: Preamble = Purpose
The Preamble lists six major goals/purposes for the Constitution to accomplish!

10. #PreambleGoals
“We the people of the United States… 1.) in Order to form a more perfect Union: 2.) establish justice: 3.) insure domestic tranquility: 4.) provide for the common defense: 5.) promote the general welfare: 6.) and secure the Blessings of Liberty for ourselves and our Posterity: … do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

11. #PreambleGoals
“We the people of the United States… 1.) in Order to form a more perfect Union: in order to unite the states more than ever before 2.) establish justice: create a fair legal system 3.) insure domestic tranquility: promise peace at home 4.) provide for the common defense: aide the military/defend against attacks 5.) promote the general welfare: help support people’s well-being 6.) and secure the Blessings of Liberty for ourselves and our Posterity: and make sure that freedom will last for us and our future generations … do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

12. Article 1: The Legislative Branch

13. Article 1: The Legislative Branch
Article I is the first and longest portion of the Constitution. It creates the Legislative Branch of the government - turning citizens’ wants into laws.
Section 1: Powers of Congress
“All legislative Powers herin granted shall be vested in a Congress, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.”

14. Article I: The Legislative Branch
Section 3: The Senate:
Qualifications:
Size:
Term Length:
Special Duties:
Section 2: The House of Representatives:
Qualifications:
Size:
Term Length:
Special Duties:

15. Article I: The Legislative Branch
Section 2: The House of Representatives:
Qualifications:
Must be 25 years old and have lived in the U.S. for 7 years
Size:
435 members
Term Length:
Serve for 2 years
Special Duties:
All bills that raise money begin in the House
Section 3: The Senate:
Qualifications:
Must be at least 30 years old and have lived in the U.S. for 9 years
Size:
50 members
Term Length:
Serve for 6 years
Special Duties:
Acts as a court during impeachment trails

16. Arizona’s Representatives
Krysten Sinema:
Represents the 9th District (D)
Others:
Ann Kirkpatrick (D)
Martha McSally (R)
Raul Grijalva (D)
Paul Gosar (R)
David Schweikert (R)
Ruben Gallego (D)
Trent Franks (R)

17. Arizona’s Senators John McCain (R): Jeff Flake (R):
Former Presidential candidate
Jeff Flake (R):
Former House Representative

18. Article I: The Legislative Branch
Section 7: Overriding Presidential Veto
The Presentment Clause: Before a bill becomes law, it must be presented to the President, who has ten days to act on it. If the President signs the bill, it becomes law.
If the President disapproves of the bill, he must return it to the House in which it originated. This procedure has become known as a veto.
The bill then does not then become law unless both Houses, by two-thirds vote, overrides the President’s veto.

19. Article I: The Legislative Branch
Section 8: Powers of Congress
Some major powers of Congress are to: collect taxes, borrow money, pay debts, make rules for how to become a citizen, regulate trade with other countries, declare war, and support the military financially.
Do these powers sound familiar to you? Where have we as a class discussed issues such as these before in terms of a Legislative Branch?