1. Review The primary purpose of the Articles of Confederation was to
(1) provide revenues for the national government
(2) establish the basic framework of the national government
(3) give the national government the power to regulate interstate commerce
(4) guarantee a bill of rights to protect citizens from the national government
Which statement regarding the United States Congress is best supported by the information in this cartoon?
(1) Congress must meet at least once every year.
(2) Members of the House of Representatives must be chosen every two years.
(3) Each house of Congress must publish a
journal of its proceedings.
(4) Representation in the House of Representatives is based on state population

2. How is Congress split up and how do we determine representation?
Review
Identify the enlightened thinker’s contribution to American Independence, Declaration of Independence and Constitution
How is Congress split up and how do we determine representation?
House of Representatives- Based on state population
Senate- 2 senators per state regardless of size
Baron de Montesquieu
John Locke
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Voltaire
Separation of powers/ 3 branches
Natural Rights (L.L.P---L.L.PH)
Social Contract
Freedom of Speech

3. Review
How are US Presidents elected?
How is Congress split up and how do we determine representation?
Through the Electoral College: 2 votes for senators, 1 for each representative
House of Representatives- Based on state population
Senate- 2 senators per state regardless of size
What is the difference between a Federalist and Anti-Federalist?
Federalist support the constitution and Anti-federalists worry it gives too much power to the federal government

4. The United States Constitution

5. Ratification Ratify- Approve
Once the delegation had written the constitution it had to be ratified, or approved by the states. The writers had written that 9 of the 13 colonies must approve the constitution for it to go into effect. However, there were fierce debates in all the states between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
Federalists: Wrote the “Federalist Papers” to promote ratification
Anti-Federalists: Worried the constitutional government would threaten the rights of the people. Demanded a Bill of Rights.
Ratify- Approve

6. Ratification
Ultimately the new Constitution was approved by the 13 colonies, and went into effect in The first president was George Washington.
Some didn’t want to approve the constitution because they were worried they would lose their rights. So Congress immediately went into session to respond to calls for a Bill of Rights. The first ten amendments were passed by 1791.

7. US Constitution Preamble
The US Constitution provides a clearly defined framework of government. The Preamble provides the reasons for writing it:
-to create a better stronger government
-to ensure a system of justice
-to provide for peace at home
-to provide for the defense of the nation
-to promote the well being of the people
-to secure liberty to the people and to future generations.

8. Basic Principles (these are Vocab words!!)
Popular Sovereignty- the people give this government power to govern them (consent of the governed). This is a democracy
Limited Government- Governmental powers are defined by the constitution, therefore the government is limited by the law.
Federalism- The division of power between the states and the national government
Separation of Powers- the power to govern is divided among the legislative, executive and judiciary branches.
Checks and Balances- each branch of government has ways to check and control the other branches.

9. Established Government

10. Delegated- powers given to the US Government
Concurrent- powers for both- the national gov’t trumps state
Reserved- powers reserved for the states

11. Checks and Balances Legislature makes laws
-President can Veto proposed laws
-Supreme Court can rule passed laws unconstitutional
President can enforce laws and ensure security
-Congress (Legislative) must approve treaties and war
-Supreme Court can rule that the President’s actions are unconstitutional
Supreme Court uses Judicial Review to examine laws
-President can appoint, or select, Justices
-Legislature must approve appointments and can impeach

12. The Elastic Clause
The Founding Fathers created the Elastic Clause to allow the constitution to change along with the needs of the country. According to the Elastic Clause, Congress can make all laws that are “necessary and proper” for carrying out tasks in the Constitution.
To prevent this the writers of the constitution included flexibility to allow the constitution to change with time.

13. Flexibility
The Elastic Clause: Congress can make all laws “necessary and proper” for carrying out the tasks listed in the constitution
The Amendment Process-The constitution may be changed with approval of both congress and the states (Amendment= amend= fix)
Judicial Review- The Supreme Court can review cases that may conflict with the constitution. Judicial review was established in the case Marbury v. Madison
Unwritten Constitution- Congressional and executive interpretations and actions, court decisions and customs/traditions form an unwritten-constitution to all for constitutional change and flexibility.

14. Acts of Congress and Treaties
King of the Mountain
US Constitution
Federal Government
Acts of Congress and Treaties
State
City and county
Supremacy Clause
The constitution, federal laws and treaties are superior to state laws

15. Articles 1-3 Office Number Term Selection Requirements Senator
The first 3 articles of the constitution describe and define the powers of the legislative, executive and judicial branches
Office
Number
Term
Selection
Requirements
Representative
At least 1 per states based on population
Senator
Original constitution- elected by state legislature. Amendment 17- elected by voters
President and Vice President
1 each
4 years
Supreme Court Justice 9
No requirements in the constitution

16. Articles 1-3 Office Number Term Selection Requirements 2 years
The first 3 articles of the constitution describe and define the powers of the legislative, executive and judicial branches
Office
Number
Term
Selection
Requirements
Representative
At least 1 per states based on population
2 years
Elected by voters
25+ Citizen 7 years State Resident
Senator
2/ state
6 years
Original constitution- elected by state legislature. Amendment 17- elected by voters
30+ Citizen 9 years
State Resident
President and Vice President
1 each
4 years
Electoral College
Natural born citizen
35+
Resident for 14 years
Supreme Court Justice 9
LIFE
Presidential appointment and senate approval
No requirements in the constitution
Elastic Clause and Amendment process
Checks and Balances

17. Article 1- Legislative Branch
This Article establishes Congress and its two houses (Senate and the House of Representatives). This Article gives:
-Qualifications for election to congress
-Basic operating procedures
-Outlines how bills become laws
-Delegated powers including “Necessary and proper” or elastic clause allowing congress to adapt to the times

18. Legislative duties
The legislative branch is a bicameral congress: a Senate and a House of Representatives. They have the power to:
-make laws
-declare war
-regulate trade, money and taxes
-impeach federal officials

19. Review
Remember that the Legislative branch was created after the Great Compromise was passed. Originally, there were two proposals on the table: The Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan:

20. Bill to federal law
All Bills must be approved by both house of Congress (the Senate and House of Representatives) AND the President. If the president vetoes a bill, it can still be passed by a 2/3 approval of both houses.
Over the years the process has become significantly more complex. In the house debate on a bill is limited. In the Senate a bill may be debated endlessly. In recent years senators have begun to filibuster, or keep talking about a bill until the senators drop it.
Filibuster- Senators continue talking about a bill until it is dropped or Congress goes home.

21. Article 2- Executive branch
Outlines the powers and duties of the President and Vice President
The President can act swiftly in times of war and national crisis by fulfilling several different roles.
-Chief Executive- enforce laws, nominate judges, and government officials
-Chief Diplomat- represents the US and can make treaties
-Commander in Chief- Supreme commander and can authorize military action for up to 60 days
-Chief Legislator- propose federal budget and Veto laws

22. Electing the President
The president is elected through an indirect vote in the Electoral College.
The Problem: Sometimes, Presidents can be elected by the Electoral College without winning the popular vote.
The electoral college has 538 total votes. Each states’ number of votes is determined by:
The number of Senators +The number of Representatives
Electoral votes
The number is different for every state because the number of representatives is based on population.

23. Article 3- Judicial (judicial-judge-courts)
The 3rd article creates the Supreme Court and gives Congress the power to create lower federal courts. The most important power of the federal courts is the rights to Judicial Review.
Judicial Review was established in the case of Marbury v Madison (1803)
Judicial Review- Power to decide if laws are unconstitutional
The Supreme Court is the final voice in interpreting the Constitution

24. Article 4- Relations among states
This portion ensures that states will recognize the laws, documents and records from other states. Also, fugitives cannot be held in a state to avoid persecution.

25. Article 5- Amending the Constitution
One of the most important features of the Constitution is the ability to amend or change with the times. There are two methods to changing the constitution, though both are difficult.
The first 10 Amendments are |
called the Bill of Rights.
Amend- To change or fix

26. Amending the Constitution
Method 1:
Amendment is proposed by the Legislative Branch, then approved by state legislatures of Constitutional Convention votes.

27. Amending the Constitution
Method 1:
Amendment is proposed by the Legislative Branch, then approved by state legislatures of Constitutional Convention votes.

28. Bill of Rights
In order to gain enough ratifying votes, the Constitutional Convention agreed to include a written Bill of Rights. The fear of a dominating Federal government led many to demand a guarantee of their rights and liberties. The Bill of Rights is composed of the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution

29. The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights
Subject 1
Freedom of religions, speech and press 2
Right to possess firearms 3
Government may not ask citizens to house soldiers 4
Protects against unreasonable search and seizure 5
Includes protection against self incrimination and double jeopardy, guarantees due process of law 6
Right to a speedy public trial with counsel 7
Right to trial by jury 8
Prohibits excessive bail, fines and cruel and unusual punishments 9
Rights not mentioned in the constitution belong to the people 10
Powers not given to government belong to the states and people
The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights

30. REVIEW Speaker A: As it stands now, the Constitution does
not protect civil liberties.
Speaker B: The system of checks and balances will
control any abuse of power by a branch
of government.
Speaker C: The demands of the majority will
overwhelm the minority.
Speaker D: The amendment process will allow the
Constitution to be changed when the
need arises.
How was the concern of Speaker A resolved?
(1) adoption of the elastic clause
(2) establishment of the House of Representatives
(3) creation of the federal court system
(4) addition of the Bill of Rights
Which two speakers support the ratification of
the Constitution?
(1) A and D (3) B and D
(2) A and C (4) B and C
REVIEW

31. What is this an example of?
Supremacy Clause

32. Compare the Articles of Confederation to the US Constitution