1. Liberty Tree Expert Information

2. What is important about the phrase “We the People” Explain the word Prosperity. Explain the word “Republic The people have the power in government Future Generations A nation in which voters choose their representatives

3. Expert Information What are articles? What is another word for amend? Sections of the Constitution; there are 7 Change or addition to the Constitution

4. The story of the U.S. Constitution Liberty Tree Because they allowed the document to be changed, amended, with changing times, the Constitution is known as a “living document”

5. Roots of the Constitution Continental Congress Went to revise the Articles of Confederation, but instead wrote the Constitution Magna Carta - 1215 Document limiting the power of the King and explaining citizens have rights too! English Bill of Rights - 1689 Took away power from the monarch, and protected the rights of the citizens in England Fundamental Orders of Conn. First Representative Constitution in the Colonies Mayflower Compact Social contract, first document in colonies to establish self-government House of Burgesses First Representative assembly in the colonies Town Hall Meetings Practicing self-government in the colonies by using a 2-house legislature to help govern towns Articles of Confederation First Constitution in America that failed because they limited the national government too much

6. Constitutional Goals The preamble of the Constitution states its purpose (six goals) beginning with whom the government serves…

7. Six Goals of U.S. Government 1. To form a more perfect union 2. Establish Justice 3. Ensure domestic tranquility 4. Provide for the common defense 5. Promote the general welfare 6. Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our propriety

8. The U.S. Constitution has articles that explain the structure and function of the government. The U.S. Constitution has seven articles that explain the structure and function of the government.

9. Article 1: Legislative Branch Legislative BranchLegislative Branch Article 2: Executive Branch Executive BranchExecutive Branch Article 3: Judicial Branch Judicial BranchJudicial Branch Article 4: Relations Among States Relations Among StatesRelations Among States Article 5: Amending the Constitution Amending the ConstitutionAmending the Constitution Article 6: National Supremacy National SupremacyNational Supremacy Article 7: Ratification Ratification Articles of the Constitution *Click each link for more info

10. Judicial Legislative Executive U.S. Government: Three Branches

11. Legislative Branch: Function: Makes the Laws Elected by: The people

12. Legislative Branch: How does a Bill become a law? 1. People share ideas with representatives in Congress. 2. Ideas may become a bill (proposed law) in House of Representatives or Senate. 3. Bill becomes a law if approved by both houses and signed by the President.

13. Legislative Branch Bicameral = made of two houses Senate + House of Representatives = Congress

14. Legislative Branch: Senate State PlanState Plan Small state/N.J. PlanSmall state/N.J. Plan RepresentationRepresentation Equal rep (2 per state)Equal rep (2 per state) TermTerm Unlimited 6-year terms, 1/3 stand for re-election every 2 yearsUnlimited 6-year terms, 1/3 stand for re-election every 2 years

15. Legislative Branch: House of Representatives State PlanState Plan Large state/Virginia PlanLarge state/Virginia Plan RepresentationRepresentation Rep based on populationRep based on population TermTerm Unlimited 2-year terms, all stand for reelection every termUnlimited 2-year terms, all stand for reelection every term

16. Executive Branch Function: Carries Out the Laws Elected by the Electoral College based on popular voteElected by the Electoral College based on popular voteElectoral College Electoral College Supported bySupported by 1.Vice-President 2.Cabinet Members Length of TermLength of Term Four-year termFour-year term Term Length?Term Length? Two Term LimitTwo Term Limit

17. Judicial Branch Function: Interprets Laws U.S. Supreme Court Elected by:Elected by: Appointed by the President, approved by CongressAppointed by the President, approved by Congress

18. Judicial Branch Function: Interprets Laws How many?How many? 9 justices9 justices Length of termsLength of terms Life termsLife terms Types of cases?Types of cases? Civil and Criminal Appeals CasesCivil and Criminal Appeals Cases Other Federal Courts?Other Federal Courts? Federal District Courts (also appointed by the President)Federal District Courts (also appointed by the President)

19. *Remaining slides are hyperlinks to articles of the Constitution

20. Article 1: Legislative Branch Composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate This branch is responsible for making the laws for the nation

21. Article 2: Executive Branch This branch includes the President, Vice President and the Cabinet and is responsible for carrying out the laws.

22. Article 3: Judicial Branch This branch is composed of the U.S. Supreme Court and lesser Federal Courts. This branch reviews laws and lower court rulings and determines if the laws are constitutional or not.

23. Article 4: Relations Among States This refers to Federalism, the sharing of power between the National and State governments.

24. Article 5: Amending the Constitution 2/3 of the House and Senate, and ¾ of the states must approve a change in the Constitution

25. Article 6: Supremacy of the National Government The National Government is the Supreme Power in the U.S., based upon the Constitution.

26. Article 7: Ratification of the Constitution Means to approve the Constitution, 9 out of the 13 states had to ratify it in order for it to go into effect. Delaware was the first state to ratify in 1787 and New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify in 1788.