1. The United States Constitution

2. The U.S. Constitution Preamble - Introduction Purpose
Form a more perfect Union.
Establish justice.
Insure domestic tranquility.
Provide for the common defense.
Promote the general welfare.
Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.

3. Seven Principles of the Constitution

4. Popular Sovereignty Who Gives the Government Its Power?
“We the People of the United States . . .”
People Rule

5. Republicanism How Are People’s Views Represented?
Vote for representative.
Why?
Fear that public opinion might not be the best!

6. Federalism Nation & states share powers. National State Government
Concurrent Powers
-Shared
Enumerated Powers
Reserved Powers

7. Separation of Powers How Is Power Divided? Why?
Division of Government into Branches
Why?
No single branch has too much power.
Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch
Makes the laws.
Enforces the laws.
Interprets the laws.

8. Checks & Balances How Is Power Evenly Distributed?
Each branch excises checks or controls over the others.
Examples:
Congress passes laws
President can veto a law by refusing to sign the bill into action.
Supreme Court can declare the law unconstitutional

9. Limited government How is Abuse of Power Prevented?
Powers that are denied.
Examples:
No preference shall be given to one state over another
States shall not issue $

10. Individual Rights How Are Personal Freedoms Protected?
The Bill of Rights
First Ten Amendments
Guaranteed
Example:
Right to meet peacefully (assemble).
Free speech.

11. Legislative Branch Make the Laws Duties Pass laws, taxes, & $ bills
Declares war
Approves treaties & presidential appointments
Impeach president
Print & coin $
Regulates trade

12. Bicameral Congress House of Representatives
Number of Reps based on population
Missouri has 8 reps (710,767 each, approx.)
We live in the 8th district
Jo Ann Emerson (R)
Serves a 2 year term
Why?
Deal with more local issues & these can change more quickly

13. Senate Number of Reps based on equal representation Two per state
Claire McCaskill (D) & Roy Blunt (R)
Serves 6 year term
Why?
Provides more time & power
More stable than House
3 classes of senator
1/3 voted on every 2 years
So you don’t have 100 new Senators each term

14. How a Bill Becomes a Law Committee approve, rewrite, kill
Introduce in House/Senate
Floor debate & vote
President signs or vetoes
Committees work out final revision
Final vote in both houses
2/3 vote to override veto
Becomes a law.

15. Industrial, Urban, High-tech
Elastic Clause
Known as “Necessary & Proper” Clause
Congress may use “all means which are appropriate, Which are not prohibited”
Allows future generations to expand the meaning of the Constitution.
13 States
50 States
Industrial, Urban, High-tech
Agriculture, Rural.
4 Million People
275 Million People

16. Duties Executive Branch - Enforces the Laws Commander in Chief
Military Leader (Responsible!)
Chief Executive
Solves Problems, Makes Major Decisions
Chief Diplomat
Foreign Policy Maker
Makes treaties – 2/3 Senate approval
Represents Us.
Legislative Leader
Provides direction, focus for Congress

17. Qualifications & Elections
Serves 4 year term
Serve only 2 terms
Must be a “natural-born” citizen
Electoral College – elects president
Electors = Number of Reps & Senators of State
Missouri has ?
10 electors
Winner takes all (except Nebraska & Maine)

18. Executive - Other Vice-President Impeachment Why?
President of the Senate
Only votes when there is a tie.
Impeachment
Why?
Treason, bribery, other high crimes
Process
House brings charges
Senate conducts trial
Chief Justice presides
Example of Checks & Balances

19. The Judicial Branch – Interprets the Laws Duties Judicial Review
Determine if a law is Constitutional!
Does it violate the constitution & individual rights!

20. Selection Appointed by President Lifetime appointment
Approved by Senate
Lifetime appointment
Why?
To insure impartiality & protect from outside pressures & influence!

21. Federal Court System Supreme Court 12 U.S. Courts of Appeal
Highest court in the Land
12 U.S. Courts of Appeal
Hear trials on appeal
94 U.S. District Courts
Federal Trials

22. Checks & Balances Executive Judicial Legislative Appoint judges
Grant Pardons
Impeach President Override Veto Control Spending Don’t approve appointments or treaties
Declare Exec. Act Unconstitutional
Lifetime Appoint. –Free from control
Executive
Veto Acts of Congress
Call special sessions of Congress
Suggest Laws,
Guide Agenda
Judicial
Legislative
Check on Congress Judicial Rev –Declare acts of Congress Unconstitutional
Check on court Impeach judges
Don’t approve appointments