Structure of the ConstitutionStructure of the Constitution

Constitution Journal

StandardsStandards

8.2.6 - Enumerate the powers of government set forth in the Constitution and the fundamental liberties ensured by the Bill of Rights.

8.2.7 - Describe the principles of federalism, dual sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and balances, the nature and purpose of majority rule, and the ways in which the American idea of constitutionalism preserves individual rights.

Preamble (Introduction)Preamble (Introduction) GoalsGoals

To form a more perfect To form a more perfect unionunion

To establish justiceTo establish justice

To ensure domestic To ensure domestic tranquilitytranquility

What It Means to UsWhat It Means to Us

All states work together as a All states work together as a unified nation.unified nation.

Everyone should be treated Everyone should be treated equally and fairly under the equally and fairly under the law.law.

The government has the The government has the responsibility to ensure responsibility to ensure peace and order at home.peace and order at home.

Preamble (Introduction)Preamble (Introduction) GoalsGoals

To provide for the To provide for the common defensecommon defense

To promote the To promote the general welfaregeneral welfare

To secure the To secure the blessings of libertyblessings of liberty

What It Means to UsWhat It Means to Us

The government has the The government has the responsibility to protect its responsibility to protect its citizens against foreign attack.citizens against foreign attack.

The government has the The government has the responsibility to to promote the responsibility to to promote the well-being of all its citizens.well-being of all its citizens.

The government should value The government should value and protect the rights of its and protect the rights of its citizens.citizens.

ArticlesArticles The main body of the Constitution is The main body of the Constitution is

divided into seven sections called articles.divided into seven sections called articles. Article 1 – Powers and limits of CongressArticle 1 – Powers and limits of Congress Article 2 – Powers and limits of the President Article 2 – Powers and limits of the President Article 3 – Powers and limits of the CourtsArticle 3 – Powers and limits of the Courts Article 4 – Relations between StatesArticle 4 – Relations between States Article 5 – Amendment ProcessArticle 5 – Amendment Process Article 6 – Federal priority in disputes Article 6 – Federal priority in disputes

“Supreme Law of the Land”“Supreme Law of the Land” Article 7 – Ratification ProcessArticle 7 – Ratification Process

AmendmentsAmendments

A formal change in the ConstitutionA formal change in the Constitution There have been 27 amendments to the There have been 27 amendments to the

Constitution.Constitution. The first 10 amendments, passed in 1791, The first 10 amendments, passed in 1791,

are called the Bill of Rights.are called the Bill of Rights.

The Amendment ProcessThe Amendment Process

Proposing an AmendmentProposing an Amendment

Two MethodsTwo Methods

1.1.Congress can propose an Congress can propose an amendment if both houses amendment if both houses vote for a change to the vote for a change to the Constitution.Constitution.

2.2.The legislatures of 34 states The legislatures of 34 states can call for a national can call for a national convention to formally convention to formally propose an amendmentpropose an amendment

Ratifying an AmendmentRatifying an Amendment

Two MethodsTwo Methods

1.1.An amendment can be An amendment can be ratified by the approval of 38 ratified by the approval of 38 state legislatures.state legislatures.

2.2.An amendment can also An amendment can also be ratified through the be ratified through the action of state conventions.action of state conventions.

Principles of the ConstitutionPrinciples of the Constitution

Popular SovereigntyPopular Sovereignty

Limited Government Limited Government

Separation of PowersSeparation of Powers

The people are the primary The people are the primary source of the government’s source of the government’s authority.authority.

The government has only the The government has only the powers that the Constitution powers that the Constitution gives it.gives it.

The Constitution divides the The Constitution divides the government into three government into three branches, and each branch has branches, and each branch has its own duties.its own duties.

Principles of the ConstitutionPrinciples of the Constitution

FederalismFederalism

RepublicanismRepublicanism

Individual RightsIndividual Rights

The division of power between The division of power between the federal government and the the federal government and the states.states.

Instead of direct participation in Instead of direct participation in government, citizens elect government, citizens elect representatives to carry out their representatives to carry out their will.will.

The Constitution protects The Constitution protects individual rights, such as freedom individual rights, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to trial by jury.and the right to trial by jury.

How the Government WorksHow the Government WorksLegislative BranchLegislative Branch

SenateSenate2 per state2 per stateServe 6 yearsServe 6 yearsMust be 30 or overMust be 30 or overCitizen for 9 yearsCitizen for 9 yearsResident of stateResident of state100 Members100 MembersVice President presides Vice President presides and can vote if there is a and can vote if there is a tietie

House of RepresentativesHouse of RepresentativesAt least 1 per stateAt least 1 per stateBased on populationBased on populationServe 2 yearsServe 2 yearsMust be 25 or overMust be 25 or overCitizen for 7 yearsCitizen for 7 yearsResident of stateResident of state435 Members435 MembersSpeaker regulates debates Speaker regulates debates and agendaand agenda

How the Government WorksHow the Government WorksLegislative BranchLegislative Branch

The most important power of Congress is the power to make The most important power of Congress is the power to make the nation’s laws.the nation’s laws.

Either house of Congress may introduce a Either house of Congress may introduce a billbill.. After debate and changes, the bill is voted on.After debate and changes, the bill is voted on. If both houses vote to approve the bill, it then goes to the If both houses vote to approve the bill, it then goes to the

President to be signed.President to be signed. If the President signs the bill, it becomes law.If the President signs the bill, it becomes law. The President can The President can vetoveto the bill. the bill. Congress may override the veto with a two-thirds majority Congress may override the veto with a two-thirds majority

vote.vote. Much of the work in Congress is done through committees, Much of the work in Congress is done through committees,

such as defense, transportation, education, etc.such as defense, transportation, education, etc.

How the Government WorksHow the Government WorksExecutive BranchExecutive BranchQualifications for PresidentQualifications for President

Must be a natural born citizenMust be a natural born citizenMust be at least 35 years oldMust be at least 35 years oldMust have been a resident of the United States for 14 Must have been a resident of the United States for 14 yearsyears

Term LimitsTerm LimitsA President cannot be elected to more than two terms A President cannot be elected to more than two terms since the ratification of the 22since the ratification of the 22ndnd Amendment in 1951. Amendment in 1951.A person who serves out the term of someone else for a A person who serves out the term of someone else for a period of 2 years or more cannot be elected to more than period of 2 years or more cannot be elected to more than one additional term.one additional term.

The Executive BranchThe Executive Branch

The executive branch is headed by the President and The executive branch is headed by the President and includes 15 departments, each headed by a secretary.includes 15 departments, each headed by a secretary.

The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.forces. He can:He can: Propose lawsPropose laws Veto billsVeto bills Negotiate treatiesNegotiate treaties Grant pardons to federal offendersGrant pardons to federal offenders Appoint federal judges, ambassadors, and other high Appoint federal judges, ambassadors, and other high

officialsofficials

The Electoral CollegeThe Electoral CollegeThe Electoral College chooses the President based on the The Electoral College chooses the President based on the popular vote in each state. The number of electors in each popular vote in each state. The number of electors in each state is determined by the number of senators and state is determined by the number of senators and representatives. The candidate with the most popular representatives. The candidate with the most popular votes “wins” the states’ electoral votes.votes “wins” the states’ electoral votes.

How the Government WorksHow the Government WorksJudicial BranchJudicial Branch

Supreme CourtSupreme CourtThe Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S.A.The Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S.A.Justices are appointed by the President and approved by Justices are appointed by the President and approved by the Senatethe SenateThere are 9 Supreme Court justices, who are appointed There are 9 Supreme Court justices, who are appointed for life.for life.The court is the nation’s final court of appeal.The court is the nation’s final court of appeal.It hears and decides fewer than 100 cases each year.It hears and decides fewer than 100 cases each year.The Supreme Court’s most important power is The Supreme Court’s most important power is judicial judicial review, the power to determine what the Constitution review, the power to determine what the Constitution means.means.

The Judicial BranchThe Judicial Branch

Most federal cases begin in Most federal cases begin in district courtsdistrict courts.. A party that disagrees with the court decision mayA party that disagrees with the court decision may

appeal appeal the decision to an the decision to an appellate court.appellate court. An appellate court reviews the decisions of district courts An appellate court reviews the decisions of district courts

to decide whether the lower court judges interpreted and to decide whether the lower court judges interpreted and applied the law correctly.applied the law correctly.

Most cases are tried under state Most cases are tried under state jurisdictionjurisdiction because because they involve state laws.they involve state laws.

State and Local GovernmentsState and Local Governments

Powers of the National Powers of the National GovernmentGovernment

Regulate interstate and foreign tradeRegulate interstate and foreign trade Set standard weights and measuresSet standard weights and measures Create and maintain armed forcesCreate and maintain armed forces Make copyright and patent lawsMake copyright and patent laws Establish postal officesEstablish postal offices Establish foreign policyEstablish foreign policy Create federal courtsCreate federal courts Coin moneyCoin money Declare warDeclare war Admit new statesAdmit new states

Powers Reserved to the StatesPowers Reserved to the States Create corporation lawCreate corporation law Regulate trade within stateRegulate trade within state Maintain schoolsMaintain schools Establish local governmentsEstablish local governments Make laws about marriage and Make laws about marriage and

divorcedivorce Conduct electionsConduct elections Provide for public safetyProvide for public safety

State and Local GovernmentsState and Local Governments

Local GovernmentsLocal GovernmentsAdminister smaller units such as, counties, cities, and Administer smaller units such as, counties, cities, and townstownsMost of the money is spent on schools.Most of the money is spent on schools.They are required to meet State education standards.They are required to meet State education standards.Provide firefighters, police officers, and garbage Provide firefighters, police officers, and garbage collectors.collectors.Maintain local roads and hospitals, provide sewers and Maintain local roads and hospitals, provide sewers and water, run libraries, oversee parks and recreation water, run libraries, oversee parks and recreation facilities, and conduct safety inspections of buildings.facilities, and conduct safety inspections of buildings.

Rights and Responsibilities of CitizenshipRights and Responsibilities of Citizenship

Becoming an American CitizenBecoming an American CitizenTo become a citizen of the United States, you must fulfill one To become a citizen of the United States, you must fulfill one of the following three requirements:of the following three requirements:

You were born in the U.S. or have at least one parent who is a citizen You were born in the U.S. or have at least one parent who is a citizen of the U.S.of the U.S.

You were naturalized.You were naturalized. You were 18 years old or younger when your parents were You were 18 years old or younger when your parents were

naturalized.naturalized.

To become naturalized, a person must live legally within the To become naturalized, a person must live legally within the U.S. for at least five years.U.S. for at least five years.They can then apply for citizenship.They can then apply for citizenship.He or she must take a citizenship examination and undergo a He or she must take a citizenship examination and undergo a series of interviews.series of interviews.Finally, the applicant takes the citizenship oath before a Finally, the applicant takes the citizenship oath before a judge.judge.

Responsibilities of CitizensResponsibilities of Citizens

A citizen must:A citizen must:Obey federal, state, and local laws;Obey federal, state, and local laws;Pay their fair share of taxes;Pay their fair share of taxes;Serve on juries if called;Serve on juries if called;Defend the nation if called.Defend the nation if called.

Good citizens should:Good citizens should:Vote in federal, state, and local elections;Vote in federal, state, and local elections;Stay informed on important issues;Stay informed on important issues;Serve the community;Serve the community;Help to create a just society.Help to create a just society.