The Constitution

Article I Creates the Legislative branch, the power to make laws Congress made up of two houses: Senate and The House of Representatives They represent the people who vote them into office Elastic Clause: Gives Congress flexibility to do its job Has allowed Congress to do many things not listed in the Constitution

How a Law is Made A bill (idea for new law) is introduced Both houses approve it President signs it into law OR…. President vetoes it 2/3 majority of both houses vote to overrule the President Bill becomes a law

Article II Creates the Executive branch, who carry out the laws Example: Congress approves new tax, someone has to collect it Head of the department is the President Serves for 4 years and two terms (at the most) Has several departments to help in carrying out the laws Example: Justice Department helps in law enforcement Gives Congress the power to impeach (formally accuse) the President or other officials if they commit crimes The House votes to impeach, the Senate puts him on trial

Article III Creates the Judicial branch, which interprets the laws Supreme Court is the highest court and only deals with federal laws Supreme Court decisions are final Federal law case is heard in a district court Can appeal (review case) the decision in an appellate court Supreme Court reviews the decision of an appellate court

Articles IV-VII Article IV: States can create their own laws, but have certain responsibilities to each other Article V: Describes how an amendment (change or addition) is added to the Constitution Article VI: Although the national government shares powers with the states (federalism), the Constitution is the “supreme law of the land” Article VII: 9 out 13 states had to approve of the Constitution before it went into effect

Check and Balances To prevent one branch of government from being too powerful, this system was developed to allow each branch to limit the other two branches

Participation in Government Most people participate through elections People influence their representatives or they wont get reelected Constitution was not specific on who could vote Many years before ALL citizens had the right to vote Political parties not part of the Constitution, but they are ones who select the candidates for office nowadays

Things to Study Why the Articles of Confederation failed Why did Shays’ Rebellion happen The problems talked about during the Constitutional Convention What the Electoral College does Know the three branches of government and some of the powers each branch has Know the terms federalism, checks and balances, and representatives How a bill becomes a law What is Congress and the two houses that make it