the american nation chapter 8 government, citizenship, and the constitution, 1787–present...

The American NationThe American Nation

Chapter 8Government, Citizenship,

and the Constitution, 1787–Present

Copyright © 2003 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.

The American NationThe American Nation

Copyright © 2003 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.

Section 1: Goals and Principles of the Constitution

Section 2: How the Federal Government Works

Section 3: Changing the Constitution

Section 4: State and Local Governments

Chapter 8: Government, Citizenship, and the Constitution, 1787–Present

Section 5: Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens

Chapter 8, Section 1

Goals and Principles of the ConstitutionGoals and Principles of the Constitution

• How does the Preamble define the basic goals of the Constitution?

• What framework of government is established by the articles of the Constitution?

• What are the seven basic principles of American government?


The Preamble Defines the Constitution’s Basic GoalsThe Preamble Defines the Constitution’s Basic Goals

To form a more perfect union

The states work together as one unified nation, not as separate nations.

To establish justice The justice system requires that the law be applied fairly to every American.

To ensure domestic tranquillity

The government can ensure domestic tranquillity, or peace and order at home.

To provide for the common defense

To protect citizens against foreign attack, the national government can raise armies and navies. However, the military is under civilian, or nonmilitary, control.

To promote the general welfare

The national government promotes the general welfare, or the well-being of all its citizens.

To secure the blessing of liberty

A major goal of the Constitution is to protect the liberty, or freedom, of Americans.

Preamble—opening statement


The Articles Describe a Framework of GovernmentThe Articles Describe a Framework of Government

Article I Describes the legislative branch. Establishes powers and limits on Congress.

Article II Describes the executive branch. Establishes powers and limits of the President.

Article III Describes the judicial branch. Establishes powers and limits of the courts.

Article IV Explains relations between the states. Requires states to honor one another’s laws. Sets out a system for admitting new states.

Article V Provides a process for amending the Constitution.

Article VI Says the Constitution is the “supreme law of the land.” No state law may violate the Constitution.


The Constitution Provides a System of Checks and BalancesThe Constitution Provides a System of Checks and Balances


Seven Basic Principles of GovernmentSeven Basic Principles of Government

Popular Sovereignty The principle that government gets its authority from the people, therefore people have a right to change or abolish their government.

Limited Government The principle that government has only the powers that the Constitution gives it. Everyone, no matter how important, must obey the law.

Separation of Powers The idea of limiting government power by dividing it among different branches of government.

Checks and Balances Each branch of government has power to check, or limit, actions of the other branches.

Federalism The principle of dividing power between the federal government and the states.

Republicanism A form of government in which citizens elect representatives to carry out their will.

Individual Rights Individual rights include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to trial by jury.


Separation of PowersSeparation of Powers


FederalismFederalism


Section 1 AssessmentSection 1 Assessment

One goal of the Constitution is to protect domestic tranquillity, which meansa) freedom.b) well-being of all citizens.c) peace and order at home.d) nonmilitary control.

Under a system of checks and balances,a) each branch of government can check the actions of the other two.b) power is divided among three branches of government.c) power is divided between the federal government and the states.d) the national government has only the powers the Constitution gives it.

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How the Federal Government WorksHow the Federal Government Works

• What are the powers of the legislative branch?

• What roles does the President fill as head of the executive branch?

• How is the judicial branch organized?• How can each branch of the government

check the powers of the other two?


The Legislative Branch: CongressThe Legislative Branch: Congress

House of Representatives• 435 members• Number of

representatives for a state is based on that state’s population

• 2-year terms• Leader of the House is

the Speaker.

Senate• 100 members• Two senators per state• 6-year terms• Leader of the Senate is

the Vice President of the United States. When the Vice President is away, the president pro tempore takes over.


The Legislative Branch: The Powers of CongressThe Legislative Branch: The Powers of Congress

Listed Powers and Duties of Congress• To make laws• To levy taxes• To borrow money• To coin money• To establish post offices• To fix standard weights and measures• To declare war

Elastic Clause• Congress can “make all Laws which shall be necessary and

proper” for carrying out its duties.


How a Bill Becomes a LawHow a Bill Becomes a Law

Bill—a proposal for a law


The Executive Branch: Powers and Duties of the PresidentThe Executive Branch: Powers and Duties of the President

• To carry out the nation’s laws• To direct foreign policy• To make treaties• To appoint ambassadors• To act as Commander in Chief of the armed

forces• To suggest new laws and work for their passage• Can grant pardons• Can call special sessions of Congress• To stand as a symbol of the nation


Electing the President: Presidential FactsElecting the President: Presidential Facts

• The President is elected for a 4-year term.• The President may be elected to no more than two

complete terms.• The President is elected by a complex system known

as the electoral college.• When Americans vote for President, they are really

voting for a group of electors pledged to the candidate.

• A few weeks after Election Day, the electors meet in each state to vote. The candidate who receives a majority of the electoral votes nationwide becomes President.


Electing the President: The Electoral CollegeElecting the President: The Electoral College


The Judicial BranchThe Judicial Branch


Examples of Checks and BalancesExamples of Checks and Balances

One branch checks another branch by doing the following

President Congress vetoing, or rejecting, bills Congress has passed

Congress President overriding, or overruling, the President’s veto

Congress President approving or disapproving Presidential appointments

Congress President ratify or not ratify treaties the President has negotiated

Congress President The House can impeach, or bring charges of wrongdoing against, the President. The Senate then conducts a trial.

Supreme President and Congress declaring laws unconstitutional



Only Congress has the power toa) make foreign policy.b) declare war.c) decide cases involving federal laws.d) select electors.

Only the President has the power toa) make foreign policy.b) declare war.c) decide cases involving federal laws.d) select electors.




Changing the ConstitutionChanging the Constitution

• How can the Constitution be amended?• What rights does the Bill of Rights

protect?• How did later amendments expand

democratic rights?


Amending the ConstitutionAmending the Constitution


The Bill of RightsThe Bill of Rights

First Amendment Safeguards individual rights—freedom of religion, speech, the press, the right to assemble peacefully, the right to petition the government to change its policies.

Second Amendment

“A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

Third Amendment Congress may not force citizens to put up troops in their homes.

Fourth Amendment Citizens are protected from unlawful searches of their homes and property.

Fifth Amendment People cannot be forced to incriminate, or give evidence against, themselves.


The Bill of RightsThe Bill of Rights

Sixth Amendment People are guaranteed the right to a speedy and public trial by a fair jury. The accused have a right to know the charges against them and who is making the charges.

Seventh Amendment

Provides for juries in civil, or non criminal, trials.

Eighth Amendment Forbids excessive bail or fines and “cruel and unusual punishments.”

Ninth Amendment Citizens’ rights are not limited to those listed in the Constitution.

Tenth Amendment All powers not given to the national government or denied to the states are reserved for the states or for the people.


Later Amendments Expanded RightsLater Amendments Expanded Rights

Thirteenth Amendment

Fourteenth Amendment

Fifteenth Amendment

Nineteenth Amendment

Twenty-sixth Amendment

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Declared that states may not deny the vote to any citizen on the basis of “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”

Gave women the right to vote.

Lowered the minimum voting age from 21 to 18.

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Basic individual liberties protected by the Constitution include the right toa) knowingly publish lies about someone.b) establish an official church in your state.c) assemble peacefully.d) make someone give evidence against themselves.

The Nineteenth Amendment expanded voting rights bya) giving women the right to vote.b) giving former slaves the right to vote.c) changing the way electoral college is chosen.d) lowering the voting age to 18.




State and Local GovernmentsState and Local Governments

• How are state constitutions similar to and different from the national Constitution?

• What services do state governments provide?

• How do local governments affect our daily lives?

How State Constitutions Compare With the National Constitution

How State Constitutions Compare With the National Constitution

Similarities• Most state constitutions

begin with a preamble.• Most state constitutions

include a bill of rights.• State constitutions set up a

government with three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial.

• State constitutions can be amended.

Differences• Most state constitutions are

longer and more detailed. • In many states, citizens can

amend the constitution. In a process known as the constitutional initiative, people can gather signatures on a petition to amend the state constitution. If enough signatures are gathered, the petition goes to the legislature or to the voters.


Examples of Services Provided by StatesExamples of Services Provided by States

• Maintain law and order• Enforce criminal law• Protect property• Regulate business• Supervise public education• Provide public health and welfare programs• Build and maintain the state’s infrastructure, or system of

roads, bridges, and tunnels• Operate state parks and forests• Regulate use of state-owned land• License professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, and

teachers


The Work of Local GovernmentsThe Work of Local Governments

• Local Government—government on the county, parish, city, town, village, and district level; get their powers from the state

• Build and run local schools• Hire and support firefighters, police, and garbage collectors• Provide sewers and water• Maintain local roads • Maintain local hospitals• Conduct safety inspections of buildings and restaurants• May own and run water and sewage treatment plants• Provide libraries, parks, and other cultural and recreational

facilities• May support airports, sports arenas, and civic centers



Most state constitutions are similar to the national Constitution in that theya) give the states the ability to deal with national issues.b) are fairly short.c) can only be amended by Congress. d) set up three branches of government.

One service that county and city governments do NOT provide isa) granting drivers’ licenses.b) building and running schools.c) supporting firefighters.d) conducting safety inspections of restaurants.





Rights and Responsibilities of CitizensRights and Responsibilities of Citizens

• What makes a person a citizen of the United States?

• How can Americans develop democratic values?

• What are the responsibilities of citizenship?


What Is a Citizen?What Is a Citizen?

To be a United States citizen:• You were born in the United States or at least one parent is a

citizen.• You were naturalized, that is, you have completed the official legal

process for becoming a citizen.• Many immigrants—people who enter another country to settle

there—become naturalized citizens.• First, immigrants may have permission to stay in the country

as resident aliens, or noncitizens living in the country.• You were 18 or younger when your parents were naturalized.

A citizen is a person who owes loyalty to a particular nation and is entitled to all its rights and protections.


Democratic ValuesDemocratic Values

Basic Values Such as honesty and compassion

Patriotism A feeling of love and devotion toward one’s country; inspires Americans to serve their nation

Respect For ourselves, our families, our neighbors, and other members of our community

Responsibility Both personal and public responsibility; responsibility for ourselves and the consequences of our actions

Responsibility Physical and moral courage; doing the right thing even when it is unpopular, difficult, or dangerous

Civic Virtue—a willingness to work for the good of the nation or community even at great sacrifice.


Responsibilities of CitizenshipResponsibilities of Citizenship

Voting Citizens must study the candidates and issues in order to make responsible choices.

Obeying the laws We give the government the power to make laws for us, so we have a duty to obey the laws.

Defending the nation

Citizens must help defend the nation against threats to its peace or security, such as by serving in the military.

Serving the community

Many citizens offer their time and talents to improve their communities and help others.

Being informed Citizens cannot protect their rights unless they know what they are and stay informed.

Serving on a jury Citizens must take time out from their work and personal lives for jury duty, serving on a jury when called.



One democratic value is moral courage, which meansa) doing the right thing even when it is unpopular.b) showing a feeling of love and devotion toward one’s country.c) respecting the property of others.d) serving the nation even at great risk to oneself.

Because the Bill of Rights guarantees a right to trial by jury, responsible citizens will

a) register for jury duty at age 18.b) enlist in the military without being called.c) take jury duty seriously and serve when called.d) study the candidates before voting for a jury.



the american nation chapter 8 government, citizenship, and the constitution, 1787–present...

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