Download - The united states constitution
The United States Constitution
Supreme Law of the Land
Constitution
1 A document or set of documents
2 lays out the laws or principles of a government, state or society
3 owners manual for government
Basic Principles of the Constitution1 Federalism
System of government which calls for a which calls for a strong national government but still leaves some powers in the hands of the individual states
1 Separation of Powers Divides the government
powers between three branches of government Legislative Executive Judicial
Preamble
a paragraph stating the purpose of the government
1 Form A More Perfect
Union unite the 13 states
2 Establish Justice create a court system
3 Insure domestic tranquility peace within our boarders
1 Provide for a Common Defense protect our boarders
2 Promote General Welfare create conditions to benefit
citizens
3 Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and prosperity freedom
The Goals of Our Government
Articles, Sections, and Clauses 1 Constitution is organized into 7 parts called articles
an article will discuss a branch of government.
2 Each article is organized into sections A section discusses a part of that branch
3 Each section is organized into clauses and a clause will go into further detail
4 New articles sections and clauses begin when a new idea is being discussed
Article 1 The Legislative Branch – Two-part Congress
House of Representatives Senate
List powers of congress Enumerated powers
Founding Fathers (FF) thought it was the most important and powerful branch discussed first largest branch longest – 10 sections
Article 2 The Executive Branch –
President Spells out qualifications and
terms of the President List executive powers FF thought it should be the
weakest branch 4 sections
Article 3 Judicial Branch –
Supreme and Federal Courts
Defines jurisdiction Supreme Court has
final say Supreme Court Justices
and federal judges are appointed
3 sections
Article 4
The States must honor laws of other states Explains how states are admitted to the Union Guarantees each state a republic form of government
Article 5 Amending the Constitution
FF knew there would be a need for amendments – changes
Outlines 2 stages of the amendment process Proposal Ratification
Article 6 No religious test is required to hold any public office The supremacy of the Constitution
Federal Law out weighs state law
Article 7 Ratification – approving the Constitution by each
state
Bill of Rights First ten amendments Lists
personal rights Due process rights States rights
1st Amendment Guarantees
freedom of speech, press, assembly and petition
2nd Amendment Guarantees the right
to bear arms
3rd Amendment Prohibits the quartering
of troops
4th Amendment Protects against search and seizures
5th Amendment Protect the rights of
people accused of a crime
6th Amendments Promise a speedy trial
Promise a right to an attorney
7th Amendment
Preserve the right to trial by jury for the accused
8th Amendments Prohibits excessive
bail
Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment
9th Amendment
All rights not expressly written in the Constitution belong to the people
10th Amendment Asserts that any rights
that are not denied to the people or specifically given to the federal government are retained by the states or the people