1. The U.S. Constitution The blueprint of our nation Michelle, Sebastian, and Katrina Period 4

2. 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.

3. The main responsibility of the Legislative Branch is to make the laws. In addition, they can approve or decline the president’s appointments and can begin the amendment process. Congress is the head of this branch, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate. What exactly does do?

4. What is Bi-Cameral? Congress is a Bi-Cameral Legislature. What exactly does this mean? It means it is divided into two parts: The House of Representatives and The Senate. Each part represents themselves differently in Congress. The Senate is made up of two senators (elected by the people) from each state, equaling 100 members altogether. The number of members of The House are based on the population of the state. For example, the state of California has 53 members in the House of Representatives, while Delaware only has one.

5. Tell me about the Amendment Process… Adding an amendment to the Constitution is not an easy task. We currently have added 27 amendments to this document, but that’s not too many when you consider our Constitution has been around for over 200 years. First, an amendment may be proposed to the states if there is a 2/3 rds vote in favor of it in both the House and the Senate in Congress. Another option is if 2/3 rds of the state governments call for a national convention, although this method has never been used. Second, the amendment must be ratified. This can be done if 3/4 th of the state legislatures approve the amendment, it is added to the Constitution. Another possible way of ratification is the gathering of elected delegates at State conventions to vote on the amendment. This way has only been used once; that is, for the 21 st amendment.

6. And ? The main responsibility of the Executive Branch is to carry out and enforce the laws upon the American people. The head of this branch is, of course, the President. He is also in charge of appointing officials and federal judges, and has the power to approve or veto laws. In addition, this branch is responsible for the conduction of foreign relations.

7. The main responsibility of the Judicial Branch is to interpret the laws and the Constitution. The Supreme Court is the head of this branch, and they also have the power to rule laws constitutional or unconstitutional. Punishing lawbreakers and distributing justice, or the truth, is also a responsibility they hold. How about ?

8. Check, Please!! The United States Government uses the system of Checks and Balances to make sure each branch of government doesn’t abuse or misuse its powers. For instance, Congress has the power to make laws, although the President can veto them if he doesn’t agree. If he does agree, the Supreme Court must rule if the law is constitutional or unconstitutional. Let’s say the President doesn’t agree with the law Congress made. He can veto it, and the law will go back to Congress. If Congress feels the law is absolutely needed, they can attempt to override the President’s veto with a 2/3 rd vote in both houses, and begin the amendment process. Another example of this system is, for instance, when the President appoints a 10-year-old to serve on Supreme Court. This would never work, though, since Congress has to approve or decline the President’s appointments. These are only some examples of the checks each branch has on the other in limiting the powers of each branch.

10. Amendment 1 – Express Yourself

11. Amendment 2 – Bear Your Arms

12. Amendment 3 – Prohibition of Quartering in times of Peace

13. Amendment 4 – A Little Bit of Privacy

14. Amendment 5 – Accused of a Crime? Hear your rights

15. Amendment 6 – Defend Yourself

17. Amendment 8 – Restrictions, restrictions

18. Amendment 9 – Read the lines Marriage Family Travel

19. Amendment 10 – The other Powers The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

20. Civil War Amendments… Slavery Abolished!! No Race Denied Vote Citizenship, Equal Rights

21. Amendments 17 & 19 #17 – U.S. Senators are voted on by the people, not state legislatures #19 – Women have the right to vote

22. # 24 – No poll tax to vote # 26 – Voting age lowered from 21 to 18

23. Any change in the salary of members of the Senate and Representatives don’t take effect until after the next election