1. Everything you need to know about the constitution
Well….at least for 7th grade!

2. The Articles Article 1: - Legislative Branch
Article 2: Executive Branch
Article 3 : Judicial Branch
Article 4: Relations between states
Article 5: Amendment Process
Article 6: Constitution is “Supreme Law of the Land”
Article 7: Ratification Process

3. Article 1: The Legislative Branch
Primary function: Make Federal Laws
Other Powers include
Declare war
Tax and borrow money
Impeach the President
Raise army
Create post offices

4. Legislative Branch House of Reps Senate How many members?
How many years in a term?
Speaker of House chosen by majority party
Who is the current speaker of the House?
Senate
How many senators?
Who presides over Senate?

5. Article 2: The Executive Branch
Primary Function: Enforce Federal Law
President, Vice President, Cabinet and other departments
Powers of President include
Form public policy
Establish foreign policy
Pass executive orders
Veto bills from Congress

6. Executive Branch How long is the President’s term?
How many terms can he/she serve?
How old does he/she have to be?
What role does he/she have in the military?

7. Electoral College
Who do Americans vote for on Presidential Election day?
How is the # of electors determined for each state?
In most cases, who receives ALL of the electoral votes?
How can a candidate lose the popular vote, but win the election?

8. Article 3: Judicial Branch
Primary Function: Review Federal Law
This includes
Power to Strike down federal law if unconstitutional
Judicial System
District courts = trial courts
Courts of Appeals = intermediate courts
Supreme Court = HIGHEST COURT IN US
Chief Justice + 8 justices
How long do justices on the Supreme Court serve?

9. Checks and Balances Legislative Branch checks Judicial Branch by
confirming judges,
impeaching judges
Executive Branch by
overriding a veto,
impeaching President,
confirming appointments,
ratifying treaties

10. Checks and Balances Executive Branch Checks The Legislative Branch by
Vetoing Bills passed by Congress
The Judicial Branch by
Nominating federal judges
Enforcing court orders

11. Checks and Balances The Judicial Branch Checks
The Legislative Branch by
Declaring Laws Unconstitutional
The Executive Branch by
Declaring Presidential Acts Unconstitutional

12. Elastic Clause
Congress can “make all laws which shall be necessary and proper” for carrying out specific duties.
Allows Congress to STRETCH its powers to deal with changing needs of nation
Example: Congress established a National Bank – not a specific power listed in Constitution – used Elastic Clause to justify

13. Citizenship
Citizen – person who owes loyalty to a particular nation and is entitled to all the rights and protection
US Citizenship
Born in US or ONE of your parents is US citizen
Naturalized – completed the legal process to become a citizen
You were 18 or younger when your parents were naturalized

14. Citizenship
Immigrant – someone who enters country with intent to settle there
Resident Alien – a noncitizen living in a country
Naturalization
Establish 5 year residency
Apply for citizenship
Go through interview process including test and interview to establish “good moral character”
Take Oath of Allegiance

15. Citizenship
Civic Virtue – Willingness to work for good of country or community
Responsibility of Citizenship
Voting
Obey Laws
Defend Nation
Serve on Jury
Serve Community
Be Informed