1. U.S. Constitution
We the People

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

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

4. This is the actual Constitution of the United States.

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

6. BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT
U.S. Constitution
Balance of Power
BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT
LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
Federal
Supreme Court
President
Senate
State
Vice President
Federal Courts
House of
Representatives
Local
Cabinet
State Courts
DIVISIONS OF POWERS
CHECKS AND BALANCES

7. Laws Separation of Powers Executive Carries Out Judicial Legislative
Interprets
Legislative
makes

8. The Judicial Branch
Interprets the Law

9. The Federal Capital Building
Legislative Branch
House of Representatives
The Senate
The Federal Capital Building
Makes the Law

10. Executive Branch Carries out the Law Chief Executive Chief of State
President’s 5 Roles
Chief Executive
Chief of State
Chief Diplomat
Commander-in-Chief of the Military
Legislative leader
The White House
Carries out the Law

11. Establish foreign policy Create & maintain armed forces Coin money
The Federal System
Some of the Powers
Delegated to the
National Government
Establish foreign policy
Create & maintain armed forces
Coin money
Declare War
Admit new states
Create federal courts
Establish postal offices

12. Establish & maintain schools Establish local governments
The Federal System
Some of the Powers
Reserved to States
Establish & maintain schools
Establish local governments
Make laws about marriage & divorce
Conduct elections
Provide for public safety

13. By National and State Governments
The Federal System
Powers Shared
By National and State Governments
Raise taxes
Charter banks
Borrow money
Administer criminal justice
Provide for public welfare

14. 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.

15. The Constitution, which is over 200 years old, can be seen in Washington, D.C.

16. The Writers and Signers of the Constitution
Our Founding Fathers