The ConstitutionThe Foundation of the United States of America

The Preamble

● One sentence○ “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union,

establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, 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.”

● Two Goals○ purpose○ ultimate authority= the people

Article I: Legislative Branch

● Longest Article

● The Legislative branch was considered the most important

● Section 1= First branch is Congress

House of Representatives

● Section 2= House of Representatives○ Clause 1: Qualifications○ Clause 2: Elections○ Clause 5: Power to

Impeach

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives.png

Senate

● Section 3○ Qualifications

○ Elections “now and then”

○ Impeachmenthttp://www.nyclu.org/content/senate-democrats-release-blueprint-of-cir-bill…and-it-needs-work-lot

Powers of Congress

● Commerce Clause○ Regulate interstate commerce○ Regulate foreign trade

● Declaring war● Elastic Clause

○ “Necessary and Proper”

Article II: Executive Branch

● Divided into 4 sections● Lays out powers of the President

● Whitehouse.gov

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Seal_Of_The_President_Of_The_United_States_Of_America.svg

Electoral College

● Select the president○ When voting, actually

voting for “electors”● Lack of faith in the people● 270 votes to win● Number of electors is

based on House of Reps and Senate

Khan Academy explains the Electoral College

Section 2-4

● Section 2○ Commander in Chief○ Appointments○ Vacancies

● State of the Union○ 2014 State of the Union

● Impeachment

Article III: Judicial Branch

● Supreme court○ Lower courts

● Judges serve life terms● Impeachment

http://timseslpage.wordpress.com/judicial-branch/

Article IV: Relations Among the States

● Full Faith and Credit Clause● Extradition Clause● Admission of States

Article V: Amendments

● Two ways to Change (Amend)○ Interpretation○ Constitutional convention

Article VI: National Supremacy

● Supremacy Clause● Federal and State Officials take a

pledge● No Religious affiliation

http://mrrichardsap.wikispaces.com/Amendment+Process+%26+Federalism

Crash Course

John Green Explains the Constitution in a mini crash course

Work Cited

● Ragone, Nick. “The Everything American Government Book” F+W Media, Inc. 2004

● John Green. “Crash Course American History: The Constitution.” Online video clip. Youtube

● Salman Khan (Khan Academy). “Khan Academy: The Electoral College.” Online video clip. Youtube