1. The U.S. Constitution

2. The Articles of Confederation
After winning the American Revolution, colonists set up a “confederation”, or loose union, of INDEPENDENT states.
Under the Articles of Confederation, the national government was very weak.
State governments did not want to give up power to a strong national government.

3. Problems of the national government:
no executive branch to carry out laws
no power to raise money (could not tax)
no power to regulate commerce
no person to represent the country for international affairs

4. Summary:
After the American Revolution, a new government was formed by the Articles of Confederation. This government had many problems which will lead to the creation of a new government under the Constitution.

6. Articles of the Constitution

7. Legislative
Congress
Makes Laws

8. House of Representatives (435 members)
1. 2 years Terms
2. 25 yrs. old/ 7 yrs. citizen
3. propose tax laws
4. can impeach the president.

9. Senate (100 members) 5. Senators serve a 6-year term
6. A senator must be 30 years old to be elected and have been a citizen for 9 years
7. Can approve presidential appointments
8. Ratifies treaties with foreign governments
9. Can try the president after impeachment

10. Both together
10. Can propose laws
11. Can declare war
12. Can override the president’s veto with a 2/3 vote
13. Can propose amendments to the Constitution with a 2/3 vote

11. U.S. State Senators
Barbara Boxer Dianne Feinstein

12. Speaker of the House: Nancy Pelosi

13. President, Vice President, Cabinet
Executive
President, Vice President, Cabinet
Enforces Laws

14. President Barack Obama

15. Vice President; Joe Biden

16. Secretary of State: Hillary Clinton

17. 14. The President serves a 4-year term.
15. The president must be at least 35 years old, a 14- year resident, and native born
16. Has power to approve or veto laws
17. Make treaties with foreign governments.
18. Nominates judges to the Supreme Court
19. Appoints cabinet members
20. Is Commander-in-Chief of U.S. military forces

18. Supreme and Federal Courts
Judicial
Supreme and Federal Courts
Interprets Laws

19. 21. Justices of the Supreme Court serve for life
22. Can declare laws unconstitutional
23. Can settle disputes involving the United States
24. Can settle disputes between states
25. Chief Justice presides over impeachment trial of the President.

20. Supreme Court Justice: John G. Roberts

23. The Bill of Rights