2. The United States Government An Understanding of the American Constitution

3. 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. The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America

4. Our Government The Constitution of the United States The Bill of Rights Constitution Jeopardy How a Bill becomes a Law Bill of Rights Video

5. Bill of Rights

6. The 3 Branches of Government Legislative Branch Executive BranchJudicial Branch A Flexible Plan Back to Main Government Page Balance of Power video Balance of Power video

7. Balance of Power

8. The job of the Legislative Branch is to make our countries laws. The job of the Legislative Branch is to make our countries laws. It is made up of two houses. Legislative Branch House of Representatives Senate Back to 3 Branches Page Lonely Ol Bill video Lonely Ol Bill video Making a Law Video Making a Law Video

9. Making a Law

10. House of Representatives House of Representatives The leader is the Speaker of the House The leader is the Speaker of the House There are 425 elected representatives There are 425 elected representatives Based on the size of the state Based on the size of the state Qualifications: Qualifications: 1. Must be 35 years of age or older 2. Must live in the state they represent 3. Must be a citizen of the USA for at least 7 years Duties: Duties: 1. Impeachment (Gather evidence and accuse official) 2. Making laws Back to Legislative Branch

11. Senate The leader is the Vice-President The leader is the Vice-President If not present, it is the President Pro-Tempore If not present, it is the President Pro-Tempore There are 100 member in the senate There are 100 member in the senate Two from each of our 50 states Two from each of our 50 states Qualifications: Qualifications: 1. Must be at least 30 years old 2. Must live in the state the represent 3. Must be a citizen of the USA for at least 9 years Duties: Duties: 1. Impeachment (Act as the judge and jury) 2. Create laws Back to Legislative Branch

12. The job of the Executive Branch is to make our countries laws. The leader: The President QualificationsDutiesAdvisors 2 nd inCommand:Vice-President Back to 3 Branches Page Executive Branch Video Executive Branch Video

13. Executive Branch

14. The President of the United States Current President: George W. Bush Current President: George W. Bush Term of office is 4 years Term of office is 4 years Current Salary: $390,000 Current Salary: $390,000 Elected on 1 st Tuesday after the 1 st Monday in November Elected on 1 st Tuesday after the 1 st Monday in November Inaugurated January 20 th of the next year Inaugurated January 20 th of the next year The oath of office to the President is administered by the Chief justice of the Supreme Court The oath of office to the President is administered by the Chief justice of the Supreme Court Back to Executive Branch

15. Qualifications of the President 1. Must be a resident of the United States for at least 14 years 2. Must be a natural born citizen of the United States 3. A presidential candidate must be at least 35 years of age Back to Executive Branch

16. Duties of the President 1. Chief Executive: Makes sure cabinet and other staff are doing their jobs Makes sure cabinet and other staff are doing their jobs 2. Commander in Chief: Head of the Military Head of the Military 3. Chief of State: Head of foreign relations Head of foreign relations 4. Chief of Party: Head of his political party Head of his political party 5. Chief Legislator: Approves, suggests, or disapproves laws Approves, suggests, or disapproves laws Back to Executive Branch Role of President Video Role of President Video

17. Role of the President

18. Advisors to the President: The Cabinet There are a total of 14 cabinet departments There are a total of 14 cabinet departments Created by George Washington in 1789 Created by George Washington in 1789 He knew he needed some help He knew he needed some help The head of each cabinet is called Secretary The head of each cabinet is called Secretary Examples of Departments Examples of Departments Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, Secretary of Treasury Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, Secretary of Treasury Back to Executive Branch

19. The Vice-President Current Vice-President: Dick Cheney Current Vice-President: Dick Cheney Chief advisor the President Chief advisor the President Leader of the Senate Leader of the Senate Will fulfill the job of the President if he or she is unable to do so Will fulfill the job of the President if he or she is unable to do so Back to Executive Branch

20. Organization of the Judicial Branch The Judicial Branch is a system of courts. The Judicial Branch is a system of courts. The Supreme court is the major body of the Judicial Branch The Supreme court is the major body of the Judicial Branch The Supreme Court is made up of nine Judges, or Justices The Supreme Court is made up of nine Judges, or Justices The judges are appointed by the President, and approved by the Senate The judges are appointed by the President, and approved by the Senate They serve for life They serve for life There are 91 district courts, and 12 courts of appeal There are 91 district courts, and 12 courts of appeal Back to Judicial Branch

21. Judicial Review and Treason The process of checking our countries laws is called Judicial Review The process of checking our countries laws is called Judicial Review A law is unconstitutional when it goes against the constitution, therefore it is void A law is unconstitutional when it goes against the constitution, therefore it is void Treason is carrying on war against the USA and giving help to our nation’s enemy Treason is carrying on war against the USA and giving help to our nation’s enemy An example of treason is switching sides to help the enemy, i.e. Benedict Arnold in the American Revolution An example of treason is switching sides to help the enemy, i.e. Benedict Arnold in the American Revolution To be convicted of treason, a person must confess, or two people with the same story must be witness in court To be convicted of treason, a person must confess, or two people with the same story must be witness in court Back to Judicial Branch

22. The job of the Judicial Branch is to explain or define our laws. Judicial Branch Organization Judicial Review TreasonArticles Back to 3 Branches Page Judicial Branch Video Judicial Branch Video

23. Judicial Branch

24. TheArticles IVVVIVII Return to Judicial Branch Page Return to Judicial Branch Page

25. Article IV Addresses the States and how they relate to one another Addresses the States and how they relate to one another Only Congress has the power to admit new states Only Congress has the power to admit new states In a Republican Government people elect their own representatives In a Republican Government people elect their own representatives Two states could become one if both states agree, and have Congressional approval. Two states could become one if both states agree, and have Congressional approval. Under the Articles of Confederation the states had a mediocre, convenient friendship. Under the Articles of Confederation the states had a mediocre, convenient friendship. Return to Articles Return to Articles

26. Article V Addresses the issue of changing, or amending the Constitution Addresses the issue of changing, or amending the Constitution Proposing an amendment Proposing an amendment 2/3 of both houses must agree or… 2/3 of both houses must agree or… A constitutional convention called by 2/3 of states A constitutional convention called by 2/3 of states Ratifying an amendment Ratifying an amendment ¾ of the states legislators must agree ¾ of the states legislators must agree ¾ of states must have constitutional conventions ¾ of states must have constitutional conventions Return to Articles Return to Articles

27. Article VI Confirms the authority of the Constitution Confirms the authority of the Constitution Was added to ensure that people knew the Constitution of the United States was the supreme law of the land Was added to ensure that people knew the Constitution of the United States was the supreme law of the land States cannot make decisions involving foreign affairs States cannot make decisions involving foreign affairs Officials of the United States government must promise to support the Constitution Officials of the United States government must promise to support the Constitution Return to Articles Return to Articles

28. Article VII Article VII describes how the Constitution can and should be ratified Article VII describes how the Constitution can and should be ratified 9/13 original states had to agree to ratify the Constitution 9/13 original states had to agree to ratify the Constitution The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, twelve years after the Declaration of independence The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, twelve years after the Declaration of independence Return to Articles Return to Articles