The Principles of the United States Constitution

6 goals of the Constitution Form a more perfect union Establish justice Insure domestic tranquility Provide for the common defense Promote the general welfare Secure the blessings of liberty

6 goals of the Constitution in 8th grade language To have a better government than the one proposed by the Articles of Confederation. The government should make laws and start a court system that is fair to all. The government should support peace within our country. The government should protect us from our enemies. The government should provide for the well-being of its citizens. The government should protect peoples’ freedoms.

I. Popular Sovereignty The people hold the ultimate authority A representative democracy lets the people elect leaders to make decisions for them.

II. Limited Government Framers wanted to guard against tyranny Government is limited to the power given them in the Constitution. The Constitution tells how leaders who overstep their power can be removed

III. Federalism The division of power between State and National Governments Some powers are shared The National Government has the “supreme power”

Federalism

IV. Separation of Powers No one holds “too much” power Legislative branch makes the laws Executive branch carries out the laws Judicial branch interprets the laws

Legislative Branch Senate and House of Representatives Make our laws Appropriate Money Regulate Immigration Establish Post Offices and Roads Regulate Interstate Commerce and Transportation Declare War

Executive Branch The President of the United States Chief Executive Chief of State Chief Legislator Commander in Chief

Judicial Branch Supreme Court and other Federal Courts Preserve and protect the rights guaranteed by the Constitution Considers cases involving national laws Declares laws and acts “unconstitutional”

V. Checks and Balances Prevents the abuse of power in government Each branch can check each other branch

Executive Checks Propose laws to Congress Veto laws made by Congress Negotiate foreign treaties Appoint federal judges Grant pardons to federal offenders

Legislative Checks Override president’s veto Ratify treaties Confirm executive appointments Impeach federal officers and judges Create and dissolve lower federal courts

Judicial Checks Declare executive acts unconstitutional Declare laws unconstitutional Declare acts of Congress unconstitutional The Supreme Court holds the final check

The Bill of Rights These are the first 10 amendments to the Constitutions that ensured individual freedoms were protected. They can be broken down into 3 simple categories: 1. Protecting citizens (1-4) 2. Rights of the accused (5-8) 3. Rights of states and citizens (9 and 10)

Citizenship Gaining U.S. Citizenship: Naturalized citizens of the United States may become full citizens. 1st they apply for citizenship. Then they go through a process that leads to citizenship being granted. At that point, they have most of the rights and responsibilities of other citizens. Legal immigrants have many of those rights and responsibilities but cannot vote or hold public office. The U.S. government can deport immigrants who break the law. Legal immigrants over age 18 may seek naturalization after living in the United State five years. After completing the requirements, the person stands before a naturalization court and takes an oath of allegiance to the United States. They then receive certificates of naturalization. Two differences between native-born and naturalized citizens are that naturalized citizens can lose their citizenships, and they cannot become president or vice president.

Duties of a Citizen Citizens have duties as well as rights. Citizens must: obey laws and authority. Pay taxes for services, including public roads and public schools, and taxes on their income to the federal, and sometimes state, government. Men 18 years or older must register with selective service in case of a draft. Citizens must serve on juries to give others the right to a trial by jury.

Citizens and the Government Voting in elections is one of a citizen’s most important responsibilities. Before voting, a citizen must find out as much as possible about the issues and candidates. RESPONSIBLE VOTING! A variety of media sources offer information, but some may be deliberately biased. Anyone can help in a campaign, even people not eligible to vote. Many people help with donations to political action committees (PACs). Many dedicated Americans also volunteer in community service groups, such as local firefighters or Neighborhood Watch groups that tell police if they see possible criminal activity in their area. Simple acts such as picking up trash in a park or serving food at a food shelter help a community.