U.S. Constitution We the People

The Constitution was written in 1787 by 55 men we call the Framers of the Constitution. These men included George Washington and Ben Franklin.

This is the Preamble (or introduction) of the Constitution.

This is the actual Constitution of the United States.

What is the Constitution? The Constitution says how the government works. It creates the President. It creates the Congress. It creates the Supreme Court.

BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT U.S. Constitution Balance of Power BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT Legislative Executive Judicial Federal Supreme Court President Senate State Vice President Federal Courts House of Representatives Local Cabinet State Courts DIVISIONS OF POWERS CHECKS AND BALANCES

Laws Separation of Powers Executive Carries Out Judicial Legislative Interprets Legislative makes

The Judicial Branch Interprets the Law

The Federal Capital Building Legislative Branch House of Representatives The Senate The Federal Capital Building Makes the Law

Executive Branch Carries out the Law Chief Executive Chief of State President’s 5 Roles Chief Executive Chief of State Chief Diplomat Commander-in-Chief of the Military Legislative leader The White House Carries out the Law

Establish foreign policy Create & maintain armed forces Coin money The Federal System Some of the Powers Delegated to the National Government Establish foreign policy Create & maintain armed forces Coin money Declare War Admit new states Create federal courts Establish postal offices

Establish & maintain schools Establish local governments The Federal System Some of the Powers Reserved to States Establish & maintain schools Establish local governments Make laws about marriage & divorce Conduct elections Provide for public safety

By National and State Governments The Federal System Powers Shared By National and State Governments Raise taxes Charter banks Borrow money Administer criminal justice Provide for public welfare

The law is the set of rules that we live by. The Constitution is the highest law. It belongs to the United States. It belongs to all Americans.

The Constitution, which is over 200 years old, can be seen in Washington, D.C.

The Writers and Signers of the Constitution Our Founding Fathers