2. The American Government

3. Articles of Confederation Proposed – 1777 Ratified – 1781 Confederation – A political union of several parties or states

4. Creating The Constitution Official Ratification - 1787 Final Ratification - 1789

5. George Washington Ben Franklin James Madison Notable Signatures Alexander Hamilton

6. What is the basis of the Constitution & American Government? EXECUTIVE JUDICIAL LEGISLATIVE SEPARATION OF POWERS

7. Montesquieu

8. WHAT IS SEPARATION OF POWERS?

9. Legislative Branch Function: Makes the Laws Head / Ruling Body: Congress Bicameral Legislative System

10. Legislative Branch “Fancy Terms” Legislation = Laws Legislature = A group that makes laws What group is considered to be the U.S. Legislature? Congress

11. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 435 Members (serve for 2 years) State membership is based on the size of the population of the state. Population is determined by a CENSUS A CENSUS is done every 10 years

12. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (CA) Speaker of the House (2007 – Present) Political Party – Democrats

13. The Democrats The Donkey

14. Andrew Jackson U.S. President (1829 – 1837) Political Party – Democrats

15. New Speaker of the House John Boehner (OH) Speaker of the House (Set to begin in 2011) Political Party – Republicans

16. The Republicans The G.O.P. (Grand Old Party) The Elephant

17. House of Representatives Membership Qualifications: 25 years old U.S. citizen for at least 7 years Must live in the state they represent

18. SENATE 100 Members (serve 6 years) Two from each state 50 States x 2 = 100

19. President of the Senate Vice President Joe Biden Vice President (2009 – Present) Political Party – Democrats

20. Senate Membership Qualifications: 30 years old U.S. citizen for at least 9 years Must live in the state they represent

21. United States Capitol Building 435 House Representative + 100 Senators = 535 Congressmen

22. EXECUTIVE BRANCH Head / Ruling Body: President Function: Enforces the Laws

23. The Chief Executive U.S. President Barack Obama U.S. President (2009 – Present) Political Party – Democrats

24. United States President Qualifications: 35 YEARS OLD BE A NATURAL BORN CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES FOR AT LEAST 14 YEARS

25. George Washington

26. The President’s Room

27. JUDICIAL BRANCH Function: Interprets the Laws Head / Ruling Body: Supreme Court

28. The Nine Supreme Court Justices 1.John Roberts - Chief Justice (2005) 2.Antonin Scalia (1986) 3.Anthony Kennedy (1988) 4.Clarence Thomas (1991) 5.Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1993) 6.Stephen Breyer (1994) 7.Samuel Alito (2006) 8.Sonia Sotomayor (2009) 9.Elena Kagan (2010)

29. Supreme Court Building

30. Separation of Powers Within The Constitution Article I - Legislative Powers Article II - Executive Powers Article III - Judicial Powers

31. JudicialExecutive Legislative

32. Checks of Legislative Branch Checks over Executive Branch: Override Presidential veto Impeach and remove President Senate can Reject Presidential appointments Refuse ratification of treaties Conduct investigation of President’s actions Refuse Presidential funding requests Checks over Judicial Branch: Change number of Supreme Court Justices Propose Constitutional amendments Rejection of Supreme Court nominees Impeach and remove federal judges

33. Checks of Executive Branch Checks over Judicial Branch: Nominates Supreme Court Justices Nominates Federal Judges Power of pardon Refusal to enforce court decisions Checks over Legislative Branch: Power of veto Call Congressional special session Carries out laws passed by Congress Vice President cast tie breaking vote in the Senate

34. Checks of Judicial Branch Checks over Executive Branch: Declare executive actions unconstitutional Power to issue warrants Chief justice presides over presidential impeachment trial Checks over Legislative Branch: Declare laws unconstitutional Chief Justice Presides over senate during presidential impeachment trial

35. The Electoral College “Winner Take All” The “Magic” Number – 270

36. The Electoral College 2008 Election Obama – 365 McCain – 173

37. THE END