1. The Constitution of the United States
Document that tells basic rules and explains rights of a US citizen
Written 200 years ago
Written to unite all the 13 colonies

2. Constitution 57 men helped write it in 1787
Ratified by the states in 1788
It has 7 sections called Articles telling how the government works

3. The Bill of Rights First 10 amendments
It guaranteed certain freedoms and rights
Added after the Constitution
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of Religion
Freedom to Assemble

4. Amendments Amendments change the Constitution
2/3 of both the Senate and House of Representatives must approve
3/4 of all states must approve

5. Federal Government
Federal government deals with matters that affect the whole country
Defense
Transportation
Postal Delivery
Federal Taxes

6. Three Separate Branches
Each branch has power to check the others

7. Federal Government Executive Branch
Executive: Power to carry out laws
The President is head of the Executive Branch
Commander in Chief of nation’s army
Elected to a four year term
Approves the laws that congress makes
Proposed national budget
Can veto a bill

8. Federal Government Legislative Branch
Legislative Branch has the power to make laws
House of Representatives
Number according to state’s population
Representative must live in the state they represent
25 years or older
US Citizen for 7 years
Elected to 2 year term
Senate
Each state has 2
Senators must live in the state they represent
30 years or older
Citizen of the U.S. for 9 years
Elected to 6 year term

9. Federal Government Judicial Branch
Judicial: Power to interpret laws
Judicial Branch applies national laws
Make up of the court system
Highest is the Supreme Court - appointed for life terms
Lowest levels are Justice of Peace
Gets its powers from Article III of the Constitution

10. What is a Citizen? Two kinds of citizens Native-born citizens
Born here
Children of American citizens born while visiting other countries
Naturalized citizens
Have to be at least 18
From other countries
Lived here 5 years to qualify
3 years if they’re married to an American citizen

11. Citizen’s Rights Countries protect their citizens and give them rights
Naturalized and Native-born citizens have the same rights, except one
Naturalized citizens can’t run for president
Citizens can vote
Freedom of Religion
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of the Press

12. Citizen’s Responsibilities
Duty to obey the law
Vote in elections
To pay taxes
If the country is at war, citizens may be called to serve in the armed forces
Serve on a jury if called