U.S. Constitution Outlining the basic rights of American citizens and rules for running the government.

Preamble We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. Government of the people and not of the states = people’s interests outweigh the states’ Replaces & perfects the Articles of Confederation Federalism: System of government in which power is shared by a central government and state governments.

Article I – Legislative Branch Structure (Section 1): -Legislative Powers -Bicameral structure House of Representatives (Sec. 2) Senate (Sec. 3) 2 year terms 6 year terms Power of Impeachment/Accuse high official of crime Conducts Impeachment Trials *1 rep for every 30K people 2 from each state 25 year age requirement / 7yr citizen 30 year age requirement / 9yr citizen Elects it’s own leaders Vice-President is president but has tie-breaker vote only

Article I – Legislative Branch Operating Procedures Sec. 4, 5, 6 Law Making Procedures (Art. 7) Additional Powers (Art. 8) House Originates Tax Revenue Bills; Senate revises… &… Taxes, Regulates Commerce, Citizenship rules, Est. lower Courts, Declares war, Raises & Funds Army/Navy, Coins money & the Elastic Clause (p.105) Limits on Powers (Art. 9) Importation of slaves, Suspending Writ of Habeas Corpus, no Ex Post Facto or Bill of Attainder laws, etc… (p.107). Limits on States (Art. 10) Treaties, Alliances, Tax, limits… How a bill becomes law… …or not! Civil Liberties: Basic guaranteed rights

Article II – Executive Branch Section 1: *4 year term (with Vice President) and qualifications, & Oath… *How presidents are elected and replaced Section 2: *Commander & Chief *Appointments (with Senate approval) Section 3: *Must provide a “State of the Union” periodically *Adjourn of dismiss Congress *Commissions Military Officers *Ensure laws are executed Vice President Speaker of the House President. pro tempore Secretary of State Secretary of Treasury Secretary of Defense Attorney General Secretary of the Interior Secretary of Agriculture Secretary of Commerce Secretary of Labor Secretary of Health & Human Services Secretary of Housing & Urban Dev. Secretary. of Transportation Secretary of Energy Secretary of Education Secretary of Veteran Affairs Secretary of Homeland Security Section 4: *Rules for Impeachment & Conviction (of Treason, Bribery, or other high crimes or misdemeanors.

Article III – Judicial Branch Establishes the Supreme Court & Inferior courts Lifetime appointments Establishment of (Sec. 1) Declares Laws unconstitutional Outlines jurisdictions of courts Appeals & Jury trials Powers (Sec.2) Dealing with Treason Treason (Sec. 3) 9

Article IV – Relationship between States and the Federal Government State respect States’ laws Congress Oversees Protection under law in each state Extradition Return of Slaves New States, Yes, but… Congress legislates for Territories States must have Republic form of Govt. Fed. Govt. will protect States Reserved Powers: Any right not specifically assigned or denied by the Constitution is reservedto the states or the people…

Article V – Amending the Constitution ¾ of States Convention or Legislature ¾ of States in legislatures or conventions Called by Congress By request of 2/3 of States 2/3 vote of Senate & House Congress National Convention States Ratification I-XXVII (Currently)

Article VI – The Supreme Law of the Land Old Debts will be paid... don’t worry about it... Federal laws trump State Laws :) Federal laws must be constitutional ;) State & Fed official s pledge allegiance & loyalty No favoring of one religion over another in filling federal offices Concurrent Powers: Held by both State and Federal governments (tax, borrow money, est. courts, build roads, enforce laws… Supremacy Clause: The Constitution & National Laws are “the supreme law of the land”.

Article VII – Rules for Ratification 9/13 States Required 1 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 13 12 11 Separation of Powers: Each function of government was distributed to a separate branch of government. To ensure a Balance of Powers among branches, a system of Checks & Balances was developed, where each branch was subject to restraints by the other two. Haves & Have-nots: Slaves Indian Tribes Women

Flash Forward: Along with creating the framework for a stable government, the constitution also brought about a free market and a sound economic environment by protecting private property and prosperity. “This freedom unleashed the energies, abilities and talents of every individual to develop as the individual’s own ambitions … and industry allowed” Chief Justice Warren Burger, p. 98).