1. The Constitution of the U.S.
Written in 1787
Ratified in 1789
Bill of Rights ( 1st Ten Amendments)

2. Set up of the Constitution
Preamble
Articles ( 7 in the body )
Sections ( explanations )
Amendments ( 27 : 17 since 1791 )

3. Preamble What is the Preamble?
It is the opening declaration of the Constitution. It tells us what are the main goals for our Constitution.

4. What are the goals listed in the Preamble?
“To form a more perfect union”
A more perfect union?
“To Establish Justice”
“To insure domestic tranquility”
What is domestic tranquility?

5. What are the goals listed in the Preamble?
“To provide for the common defense”
“To promote the general welfare”
“To secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity”

6. Article I: The Legislative Branch
Main job is to make laws
Bicameral Legislation
Senate = 2 per state or 100 senators
Senators: Richard Burr and Elizabeth Dole
House of Representatives= 1per 500,000 people or 435 representatives.
District 4 Representative: David Price

10. Article II: The Executive Branch
President of the United States
Vice President of the United States
Main job is to enforce laws

12. Article III: The Judicial Branch
Sets up a Supreme Court
Allows congress to set up a court system
Supreme Court= 9 Justices ( includes 1 Chief Justice: John Roberts )
Main Job: To interpret Laws

15. Article IV: Relationship among states
Sets up that states must respect each others laws and court decisions.
Sets up procedures to add more states

16. Article V: The Amendment Process
How can the constitution be changed?
This article gives the two ways in which the constitution can be changed.

17. Article VI: Supremacy Clause
It states that the constitution is the supreme law of the land. If any law or person comes against the Constitution then the law or person is wrong.
Know it as the Supremacy Clause

18. Article VII: Ratification Process
It states what must happen for the Constitution to be approved.
9 of the 13 states must approve the constitution for it to become the new government.

19. Major Themes: Federalism- Powers are split between
The federal government
The state government
The local government

20. Major Themes: Separation of Powers between
Legislative branch
Executive branch
Judicial branch

21. Checks and Balances
In separation of powers: How each branch can check on each other. A major function to make sure one group does not get to powerful.
Page 91: Describe the ways the each branch checks on the other branches.

22. Major Themes
Popular Sovereignty- The government gets the power from the consent of the people.
Republican Democratic State

23. What are the goals listed in the Preamble?
“To form a more perfect union”
A more perfect union?
“To Establish Justice”
“To insure domestic tranquility”
What is domestic tranquility?