1. The United States Constitution
U.S. GOVERNMENT

2. Celebrate the Constitution
Popular Sovereignty
“The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon George Washington
September 17, 1787 was a glorious day! The U.S. Constitution was finally signed by the delegates of the Constitutional Convention. The Constitution included a strong central government based on compromise; it outlined national powers and provided provisions for amending the Constitution.
Checks and Balances
Limited Government
Separation of Powers
George Washington
President of the Constitutional Convention and 1st President

3. A Living Document
Because there was so much interest and debate regarding individual rights, on December 15, 1791, ten amendments known as the Bill of Rights were added to the U.S. Constitution. Since then, seventeen more amendments have been added to the Constitution.
Federalism
Benjamin Franklin
Signer of the Constitution and Founding Father
Individual Rights
Republicanism

4. Celebrate the Constitution Today
Today, the “law of the land” is still the U.S. Constitution. It has sustained controversial issues, a civil war, and the changes that 200 years of American society brings. But it is strong and enduring.
The Constitution of the United States was made not merely for the generation that then exist, but for the posterity - unlimited undefined, endless, perpetual posterity
-Henry Clay ( )
American statesman - U.S. Congressman and Senator

5. Strict Interpretation
A Living Document
Loose Interpretation
A.K.A. “Loose Construction of Constitution”
Interpretation of Constitution must be flexible
People change, society changes, technology changes--Constitution must adapt
What the Constitution doesn’t say EXPLICITY, the branches of government can do
Who supports a loose interpretation?
Answer: Federalists, Liberals
Strict Interpretation
A.K.A. “Strict Construction of Constitution”
Constitution should remain the constant
The Constitution must be the measure of social, ethical, and moral change
Government can ONLY do what the Constitution EXPLICITLY says
Who supports a strict interpretation?
Answer: Anti-Federalists, Conservatives

6. *danger – can oppress one group of people
&
Majority Rule – a system in which the group that has the most members makes decisions
*danger – can oppress one group of people

7. Popular sovereignty

8. Article 1 – Powers Denied to Congress:
Limited government
Article 1 – Powers Denied to Congress:
The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…

11. JUDICIAL REVIEW
It is the ability of a court to examine & decide if a statute, treaty or administrative regulation contradicts or violates the provisions of existing law, a State Constitution, or ultimately The United States Constitution.
Judges examine a law or government activity and decide if it violates the constitution. Established 1803, Marbury v. Madison was the first Supreme Court case where the Court asserted its authority for judicial review to strike down a law as unconstitutional.

12. Powers of National Government Powers of State Governments
Federalism
Powers of National Government
Powers of State Governments
Enumerated powers(expressed): Items found in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution that set forth the powers of Congress.
Delegated Powers: Powers given specifically to the federal government by the Constitution
Implied Powers: unstated powers “Elastic Clause”
Inherent: simply because it is a government
Concurrent Powers
(Shared Powers):
Authority shared by both the federal government and the state governments
Reserved Powers:
Powers not given to the federal government that can be used by a state or local government

13. “Congress shall have the authority to make all laws which are necessary and proper…..”
Implied Powers  power of Congress to pass any law that helps them carry out the expressed powers
Also known as
Necessary and Proper Clause
Elastic Clause
Example: Creating a national bank in 1791; Louisiana Purchase in 1803; military draft

14. Federalism

15. 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: National Supremacy
VII: Ratification
Amendments:
27 Total
1st ten are the Bill of Rights

16. The Preamble

17. Article I: Legislative Branch
Bicameral:
Senate
2 Senators for each state
House of Representatives
Based on population
Reps serve for 2 year terms
Senators serve for 6 year terms
Important Powers:
Make laws
Set taxes
Declare war
Override Vetoes
Borrow money
Regulate international and national trade
Print money

18. Article II: Executive Branch
President and Vice President are elected to 4 year terms
Qualifications:
At least 35 years old
14 year resident of the US
Natural born citizen
Elected by the Electoral College
Important powers:
Commander-in-Chief
Grant pardons
Make treaties
Appoint federal officers
Ensure laws are executed

19. Article III: Judicial Branch
Supreme Court judges serve for life unless impeached.
Judicial power rests with US Supreme Court and other courts created by Congress
Important Powers:
Decides cases of Constitutional law and federal law
Cases involving ambassadors go straight to Supreme Court
Judicial Review comes later (1803 – Marbury v. Madison)

20. Other Important Articles:
Article V: Amendments:
Amendments are proposed when 2/3 of House and Senate deem it necessary
Amendments are proposed when 2/3 of states deem it necessary
Amendments must be ratified by ¾ of state legislatures or by conventions in ¾ of states
Article VI: Federal Power
Supremacy Clause: Federal law is supreme to state law
No religious tests for public office

21. Important Amendments: Bill of Rights
Freedom of religion, of speech, of the press, to assemble, and to petition
Right to bear arms
No quartering of soldiers
No unreasonable search and seizure
Indictments; Due process; Self-incrimination; Double jeopardy, and rules for Eminent Domain.
Right to a fair and speedy public trial, Notice of accusations, Confronting one's accuser, Subpoenas, Right to counsel
Right to trial by jury in civil cases
No excessive bail & fines or cruel & unusual punishment
There are other rights not written in the Constitution
All rights not given to Federal Government belong to states and people.

22. Other Important Amendments: Reconstruction Amendments
13th Amendment
abolished slavery
14th Amendment
Due process and equal protection under the law
All persons born in US are citizens
15th Amendment
Right to vote regardless of race, color, or previous servitude

23. Other Important Amendments:
19th Amendment:
Women’s suffrage
22nd Amendment:
Presidential term limits
24th Amendment:
Prohibits poll taxes for voting
26th Amendment:
lowers voting age to 18

24. EXIT SLIP/POP QUIZ
1)What keeps one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
2)What is the name of the clause that allows Congress to make all “necessary and proper” laws?
3)Is #2 implied, reserved or expressed?
4)The power of the courts to decide on constitutionality of law is called?
5)What Supreme Court case gave the right to courts in #4?