US ConstitutionStudy Packet

The Preamble

• The first three words of the Preamble are:– We the People . . .

• 6 reason for the establishment of the Constitution are:

1. To form a more perfect Union2. Establish justice3. Insure domestic tranquility4. Provide for the common defense5. Promote the General Welfare6. Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and out

posterity

Article I

• Deals with the Legislative Branch• Congress is made up of the:

– House of Representative– Senate

• Must be 25 to be elected to the House of Representatives.– Must have been a citizen for 7 years if not born in the

US• Term of Office for the House of Representatives

= 2 years.• Vacancy’s filled through a special election

Article I (cont.)

• There are 2 senators elected from each state – (total of 100)

• Term of office for the Senate = 6 years

• Must be at least 30 years old and/or a US citizen for at least 9 years.

• The Vice President is responsible for presiding over the Senate.– Only allowed to vote when there is a tie.

Article I (pg. 3)

• The Senate tries cases of impeachment– Chief Justice of Supreme Court presides over trial– 2/3 vote needed to convict.

• Congressmen are immune to arrest while Congress is in session except under the following circumstances:– Treason– Major crimes– Breaking the peace

• Must meet at least once in every year

Article I (slide 4)

• House of Representatives and Senate can expel a member with a 2/3 vote

• Bills of Revenue must originate from the House of Representatives.

• A President may refuse to sign a Bill for 10 days (excluding Sunday’s) before it becomes law– If 2/3 of vote of each house needed to

override presidential veto

Article I (come on – another one)

1. Raise and spend Revenue

2. Borrow $ by issuing bonds

3. Regulate commerce4. Establish rule for

becoming citizen5. Pass bankruptcy laws6. Issue currency7. Punish counterfeiters8. Establish and run the

Post Office9. Pass Copyright and

patent laws

10. Establish a Federal Court system

11. Protect American ships form piracy

12. Declare War13. Raise and support an Army14. Provide for and maintain

Navy15. Pass rules for military

discipline16. Create the National Guard

(militia)17. Govern behavior of the

National Guard18. Make Laws for Washington

DC

• Powers Granted to Congress

Article I (last slide I promise)

• Elastic Clause – “To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper . . . “

• Congress does not have the power of:1. Extend Slave trade beyond 18082. Suspend Habeus Corpus (except in times of war)3. No Bills of Attainder or ex post facto4. Tax goods on exports5. Pass laws favoring 1 state over another6. Withdraw $ from Treasury without prior permission7. Bestowing Titles of Nobility

• No State may enter into a treaty or alliance with another country

Article II• Deals with the Executive Branch

– President

• Presidential term of office = 4 years• Elected by the Electoral College• Must have been born in the United States• Vice President takes over office of President upon:

– Death of President– Resignation of President– Removal of President by impeachment– President becoming unable to perform duties of Office

• Oath of Office– Execute the office of the President– Preserve, Protect, Defend the Constitution

Article II (cont.)

• Commander in Chief of:– Army– Navy– Air Force– Marines– National Guard (militia)

• Under Extraordinary circumstances, President may call for a meeting of Congress

• President or VP may be impeached for:1. Treason2. Bribery3. Other High Crimes or Misdemeanors

Article III

• Deals with the Judicial Branch• Chief Justice is the head of the Judicial

Department• May serve for life (or until they choose to retire)• Their salaries may not be cut while they are in

office• Only trials of impeachment are not tried with a

jury.• There must be at least 2 witnesses to convict

someone of treason

Article IV

• New states cannot be created within the boundaries of existing states or between 2 adjacent states without the permission of Congress and the state.

• Congress has powers over new lands or territories.

• Every state must have a Republican form of government.

Article V• Congress needs 2/3 vote in both houses to propose and

Amendment• ¾ of the states must pass the Amendment for it to

become law. (38 states)

Article VI• Any treaties are also considered to be the law of the land.• The Constitution and any treaties always override state laws• No religious test can be given to qualify someone to hold a public

office.

Article VII• 9 of the 13 states needed to ratify the Constitution to make it legal• 39 of the 55 delegates to the Philadelphia Convention signed the

Constitution