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Ch.8,Lesson 2
Three Branches of Government
The Preamble is only an introduction. We the people of the United StatesIt explains the basic functions of the United States government.It emphasizes the nation rather than the states

Preamble Explains basic functions:The Constitutions Purpose1. the government is to establish justice/fairness and ensure domestic tranquility2. the government is to provide for the common defense, and defend against its enemies. 3. the government must promote the general welfare, or work for the common good of the nation.4. the government must secure liberty, or freedom, for the nations people and its future generations

Ch.8,Lesson 2

Article. 1The Legislative Branch
Separation of powers to keep any one branch from controlling the government. * There are three branches of the federal government1. Legislative2. Executive3. Judicial
Congress2 branches/housesHouse of Representativesthe Senate
What are the main powers of Congress?The main powers of Congress are to make laws, raise an army and a navy, declare war, and control commerce
Ch.8,Lesson 2

Electing & TermsHose of Representatives citizens were given the power to vote for their representatives. (two-year terms)* 10 YEAR CENSUS adjusts the number of representatives. So, states might either gain or lose representatives. Senators were chosen by their state legislatures. (six-year terms)Today, citizens vote for members of both houses of Congress
The makeup of Congress was a substation debate at the Constitutional Convention
Ch.8,Lesson 2

Article. 2The Executive BranchMain power is to enforce the laws to take care that the laws be faithfully executed
To be President:- must be at least 35 years old- must have been born in the United States- The president must also have lived in the United states for 14 years. - The President is elected to a 4 year term.
The President can/is:- Veto, or reject, bills passed by Congress. But Congress could then override the Presidents veto with a two-thirds vote.-The Commander in Chief of the US military- be Impeached if accused of crimes, and found guilty. The President could be removed from office.
2 Presidents have been impeached Andrew Jackson and Bill Clinton.Neither was convicted.
Ch.8,Lesson 2

Electing a president

- The Electoral College Once, citizens voted for the electors, which was known as the electoral college. Now the electoral college is divided up by state populations.
Why were the delegates careful to preserve the separation of powers?They wanted to prevent one branch from having too much power.
Ch.8,Lesson 2

Ch.8,Lesson 2

Ch.8,Lesson 2

Article. 3The Judicial BranchMust decide whether laws are working fairly. The Judicial Branch is the court systemThe Supreme Court is the Highest Court in the US

There are 9 Justices

The Supreme Court has the power to strike down any law that goes against the Constitution.They can declare laws unconstitutionalOnly by changing the Constitution can Congress restore law struck down by the Supreme Court.
Rule of Law the government must apply laws equally to every person.

Changing the Constitution

Amendments are changes to the Constitution.Amendments can be proposed by a 2/3 two-thirds vote in CongressFor an Amendment to pass, three-fourths of all states must approve it
The Bill of Rights are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution

President of the United States Barack Obama1 Vice President of the United States Joe Biden2 Speaker of the House John Boehner3 President pro tempore of the Senate Daniel Inouye4 Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton5 Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner6 Secretary of Defense Robert Gates*7 Attorney General Eric Holder8 Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar9 Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack10 Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke11 Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis12 Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius13 Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan14 Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood15 Secretary of Energy Steven Chu16 Secretary of Education Arne Duncan17 Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki18 Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano
Succession of the Presidency