Slide 1

U.S. Constitution

We the People1

The Constitution was written in 1787 by 55 men we call the Framers of the Constitution.These men included George Washington and Ben Franklin.

2This is the Preamble (or introduction) of the Constitution.

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This is the actual Constitution of the United States.

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What is the Constitution?The Constitution says how the government works. It creates the President. It creates the Congress. It creates the Supreme Court.

5U.S. ConstitutionBalance of PowerBRANCHES OF GOVERNMENTLegislativeExecutiveJudicialFederalStateLocalDIVISIONS OF POWERSSenateHouse ofRepresentativesPresidentVice PresidentCabinetSupreme CourtFederal CourtsState CourtsCHECKS AND BALANCESLEVELS OF GOVERNMENT

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ExecutiveCarries OutLawsSeparation of PowersLegislativemakesJudicialInterprets

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The Judicial BranchInterprets the Law

8The Federal Capital BuildingHouse of RepresentativesThe Senate

Legislative BranchMakes the Law

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Chief ExecutiveChief of State Chief Diplomat Commander-in-Chief of the Military Legislative leader

Executive BranchPresidents 5 RolesCarries out the LawThe White House

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Establish foreign policyCreate & maintain armed forcesCoin money Declare WarAdmit new statesCreate federal courtsEstablish postal officesSome of the Powers Delegated to theNational Government The Federal System

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Establish & maintain schoolsEstablish local governments Make laws about marriage & divorceConduct electionsProvide for public safetySome of the Powers Reserved to States The Federal System

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Raise taxes Charter banks Borrow moneyAdminister criminal justiceProvide for public welfare

The Federal SystemPowers Shared

By National and State Governments

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The law is the set of rules that we live by. The Constitution is the highest law. It belongs to the United States. It belongs to all Americans.

14The Constitution, is 225 years old, and can be seen in Washington, D.C.

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The Framers of the ConstitutionOur Founding FathersComplied and edited by Susan Ging Lent16