1. The Constitution
Basic Principles

2. Set up
Preamble
Articles
1-3 branches of National Government
7 total

3. Limited Government
Why the establishment of a government limited to specific duties and responsibilities?
Rule of Law
Separation of Powers

4. The Legislative Branch: “Makes the Law”
Checks the Executive Branch
Makes laws that the Executive Branch must enforce
Appropriates Funds to the President
Over-rides Presidential vetoes with a two-thirds vote
Can impeach the President
Senate Approves or rejects Presidential Appointments and treaties
Checks the Judicial Branch
Creates the lower courts in the Judicial
Can Impeach Judges
Approves or rejects the appointment of judges

5. The Executive Branch: “Enforces the Law”
Checks the Legislative Branch
Can veto legislation
Can call a special session of Congress
Can recommend legislation
Can appeal to the people to motivate Congressional actions
Checks the Judicial Branch
Appoints Supreme Court Judges and other Federal Judges

6. The Judicial Branch: “Interprets the Law”
Checks the Legislative Branch
Can declare acts of Congress to be unconstitutional
Checks the Executive Branch
Judges are appointed for life and are free from executive control
Can declare Presidential actions to be unconstitutional

7. Amendments
Bill of Rights

9. The Bill of Rights: The First Ten Amendments of the Constitution

10. 1. First Amendment:
Freedom of Speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion, right to assemble, and right to petition

11. 2. Second Amendment:
The right to bear arms

12. 3. Third Amendment:
The National Government may not quarter troops in a citizen’s home without consent

13. 4. Fourth Amendment:
Protection against unwarranted searches and seizures

14. 5. Fifth Amendment:
(1) Grand Jury Indictment required for serious crimes
(2) Due Process is guaranteed
(3) Protection from double jeopardy: Cannot be tried for the same crime twice
(4) Protection from self-incrimination
(5) The government cannot take private property without just financial compensation (eminent domain)

15. 6. Sixth Amendment:
The right to a fair and speedy trial (criminal cases)

16. 7. Seventh Amendment:
Individuals have the right to a trial by jury in civil cases

17. 8. Eighth Amendment:
Protection against cruel and unusual punishments and protection from excessive bail

18. 9. Ninth Amendment:
Guarantees rights not expressed specifically in the Constitution (innumerable rights)

19. 10. Tenth Amendment:
Powers not delegated to the National Government are reserved to the states (reserved powers)

21. Other Constitutional Changes

22. Informal Changes Basic Legislation Executive Action Court Decisions
Executive Agreement
Court Decisions
Party Practices
Electoral college

23. Customs Presidential Cabinet Presidential succession
15 executive departments
Presidential succession
25th Amendment
Presidential Customs
Bible swear in & “so help me God”
2 term limit

24. Closure What is the importance of rule of law in the United States?
How do Checks and Balances prevent and one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
How many Amendments are currently in the Constitution? How many have been overturned?
What are some ways that unwritten customs can influence policy making?