1. The US Constitution
Chapter 8

2. Goals of the Preamble
To form a more perfect Union
Framers wanted a unified nation
E Pluribus Unum
To establish justice
Unified legal system applied fairly to all

3. Goals of the Preamble To insure domestic tranquility
Peace and order at home
National Guard’s help after a disaster
To provide for the common defense
Power to raise armies and navies
Military under civilian control

4. Goals of the Preamble To promote the general welfare
Well-being of all citizens
To secure the blessings of liberty
Many have fought and died for liberty
Amendments have extended liberty

5. Goals of the Preamble To form a more perfect Union
To establish justice
To insure domestic tranquility
To provide for the common defense
To promote the general welfare
To secure the blessings of liberty

6. Preamble to the US Constitution
We the people of the United States,
in order to form a more perfect union,
establish justice,
insure domestic tranquility,
provide for the common defense,
promote the general welfare,
and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity,
do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

7. Articles (Body) of the Constitution
Articles I-III-Branches of government
Article IV-Relations among the states
Article V-Amending the Constitution
Article VI-National Supremacy
Article VII-Ratification

8. Since 1791, 17 more have been added
Amendments
The first 10 were added in 1791
Since 1791, 17 more have been added
Bill of Rights =27 total amendments

9. 7 Principles of the Constitution
@Popular Sovereignty-government gets its power from the people
@Limited Government- government has only the powers that the Constitution gives it
@Separation of Powers- government is divided into three branches to limit government’s power

10. 7 Principles continued
@Checks and Balances- each branch can check, or limit, the other branches’ actions
@Federalism-division of power between the federal government and the states

11. 7 Principles continued
@Republicanism-citizens elect representatives to take care of the government’s business
@Individual Rights-citizens’ rights are protected under the Constitution (Bill of Rights)

12. Legislative Branch-Senator
Requirements
30 years old or older
Citizen of the US for at least 9 years
Resident of state in which elected
 6 year terms
 100 Senators total

13. Legislative Branch-Representative
Requirements
25 years old or older
Citizen of the US for at least 7 years
Resident of the state in which elected
 2 year terms
 435 Representatives

14. Executive Branch-Pres. And VP
Requirements
35 years old or older
Natural-born citizen
Resident of the US for 14 years
 4 year terms
 1 team

15. Judicial Branch-Supreme Court
Requirements
No Constitutional requirements
Lifetime appointment
9 total Supreme Court Justices

16. Legislative Branch-Powers
MOST IMPORTANT IS TO make the nations laws
Collect taxes
Borrow money
Coin money
Declare war
Elastic Clause-Congress can make all laws that are necessary and proper

17. Legislative Branch-Checks on Ex. Branch
Can override President’s veto
Confirms executive appointments
Ratifies treaties
Can declare war
Appropriates money
Can impeach and remove the President

18. Legislative Branch-Checks on Jud. Branch
Creates lower courts
Can impeach and remove judges
Can propose amendments to overrule judicial decisions
Approves appointments of federal judges

19. Executive Branch-Powers
Carries out the nations laws
Directs foreign policy
Is Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces
Can make treaties and appoint ambassadors
Can grant pardons and call special sessions of Congress

20. Executive Branch-Checks on Leg. Branch
Can propose laws
Can veto laws
Can call special sessions of Congress
Makes appointments
Negotiates foreign treaties

21. Executive Branch-Checks on Jud. Branch
Appoints federal judges
Can grant pardons to federal offenders

22. Judicial Branch-Powers
Greatest power is to decide what the Constitution means

23. Judicial Branch-Checks on Ex. Branch
Can declare executive actions unconstitutional

24. Judicial Branch-Checks on Leg. Branch
Can declare acts of Congress unconstitutional

25. Bill of Rights
First Amendment- protects basic individual liberties such as religion, speech, press, assembly and petition
Second Amendment-right to bear arms
Third Amendment-citizens cannot be forced to house troops
Fourth Amendment-guards against unlawful searches and seizures

26. Bill of Rights
Fifth Amendment-citizens cannot be forced to incriminate themselves
Sixth Amendment-right to speedy trial by jury
Seventh Amendment-right to jury trial in civil cases
Eighth Amendment-bans excessive bail and punishment

27. Bill of Rights
Ninth Amendment-citizens’ rights are not limited to the ones listed in the Bill of Rights
Tenth Amendment-all powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the people (states)

28. Later Amendments
After the Bill of Rights, only 17 more amendments have been added to the Constitution
Civil War Amendments-expanded rights for African Americans
Nineteenth Amendment- guaranteed women the right to vote
Twenty-sixth Amendment-lowered the voting age from 21 to 18

29. State and Local Governments
State Governments
Provided by Both
Local Governments
1. Provide public health and welfare programs
2. Manages state parks and recreation areas
3. Builds and maintains highways, bridges, and tunnels
4. Issues license for professionals and drivers
5. Provide for education
6. Police maintain public safety
7. Hires or supports firefighters and garbage collectors
8. Maintains local roads and hospitals
9. Inspects buildings
10. Provides parks and libraries

30. US Citizenship Requirements for US citizenship
Born in the US or at least one parent is US citizen OR
Naturalized-legal process for becoming a US citizen OR
18 or younger when your parents were naturalized

31. Steps of the Naturalization Process
Immigrant
Resident alien
Five year waiting period
Apply for citizenship
Complete an exam
Show “good moral character”
Interview
Take an Oath of Allegiance

32. Rights and Responsibilities
Equal rights under the law
Not based on wealth or family
With these rights comes responsibilities
Freedom is not free

33. Virtue and Values Patriotism-feeling of love and devotion to the US
Respect-for ourselves, others, property, and laws
Responsibilities and consequences
Courage-physical or moral courage

34. Responsibilities Voting-know the candidates and issues
Obey the Laws-know and follow the law
Defend the Nation-register for draft or volunteer to serve
Serve on Juries-take time to decide others fate
Serve the Community-volunteer, donate blood, give money and supplies
Be Informed-read the news and pay attention in class