The CONSTITUTION of the UNITED STATES and The FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Critical Thinking What exactly is a constitution? A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organizations acknowledged to be governed. Why do you think that people write constitutions? What might happen if a country did not have a constitution? Pretend you were asked to write a state constitution after the Revolutionary War. What rights would you make sure to protect? What would you guard against?

Weaknesses and Strengths of the Articles of Confederation At least 9 of the 13 States had to agree to create a law. Congress could not regulate trade. Congress could not raise money through taxes. Weak central government: no President to enforce the laws and no courts. Shays Rebellion. All 13 states had to agree in order to make changes to the Articles of Confederation. Each state printed its own money. A CHANGE WAS NEEDED We won the Revolutionary War under the articles of Confederation. Settled and governed western territories.

The Constitutional Convention May 25, 1787 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MISSION: Revise The Articles of Confederation

THE PREAMBLE What are the six goals of the Constitution? SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY TO OURSELVES AND OUR POSTERITY PROVIDE FOR THE COMMON DEFENSE PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE INSURE DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION ESTABLISH JUSTICE “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.” THE PREAMBLE form a more perfect Union establish justice insure domestic tranquility provide for the common defense promote the general welfare secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity

THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH Article One THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The LEGISLATIVE BRANCH includes: the SENATE and the HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES

Choose Utah's two Senators Orrin Hatch Mike Lee

Choose Utah's three Representatives Rob Bishop Jim Matheson Jason Chaffetz

CHECKS and BALANCES Veto THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH -CONGRESS- Veto Impeach and reject the appointment of judges Declare laws unconstitutional CHECKS and BALANCES Impeach, override veto, reject appointments and treaties THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH -PRESIDENT- Appoint judges THE JUDICIAL BRANCH -COURTS- Declare presidential actions unconstitutional Impeach president, override veto, reject appointments, refuse to approve treaties Can impeach and reject the appointment of judges Can declare presidential actions unconstitutional Can declare laws unconstitutional The President can appoint judges The President can veto legislation