United States Government And the U.S. Constitution

The Constitution… Is the “Supreme Law of the Land” It specifically lists all of the powers of the national government. It divides power between the national and state gov’ts (federal system) Delegated powers--federal Reserved powers--state Spells out our representative democracy -- a gov’t which people elect their leaders. It describes a system of checks and balances where each branch can check on the other two so no branch gets too powerful It also separates powers to balance the branches

Article I -- The Legislative Branch (Congress) This branch makes the laws. It is divided into two branches --> The House of Representatives and the Senate House of Reps has 435 members and each state is represented through population (more people in the state the more reps you get in the House) Members of the House are elected every two years. And they are the house that can impeach a president. The Senate has 100 members (each state sends two) Senators serve six year terms and they are the branch that hear the impeachment trials. Both houses can propose bills

Powers of the Legislative Branch To borrow money To raise and lower taxes To coin money To set up post offices To build roads To declare war To provide a military Regulate trade between states and foreign countries ELASTIC CLAUSE: Allows congress to to stretch their powers to change with changing times.

On your dry erase boards. 1. Where would you look to find all the powers you have as the Legislative Branch? 2. What is a representative democracy and give an example of it. 3. What are the names of the two houses in the Legislative Branch? Which branch has a longer term? 4. What does the Legislative branch do when it comes to laws? 5. List two powers you have as our Legislative Branch

Analyze and explain the point of the cartoon

Article II --> The Executive Branch (President) The President enforces the laws. He/she is the commander and chief of the armed forces though he cannot declare war. To be president one must be 35 years old, be born in the U.S. and have lived in the U.S. for the past 14 years. The President serves four year term. He can serve no more than two terms. The president can sign and veto bills He appoints federal judges He appoints his cabinet (those hired to advise him) He also has the power to pardon federal offenders

Flip over your notes 6. What is the President’s job when it comes to laws? 7. What is on requirement someone must meet before becoming president? 8. What is the purpose of the President’s cabinet? 9. Besides his cabinet, who else can the President appoint (hire)?

In your groups, analyze and explain the cartoon

Article III--> Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) The judicial branch makes sure that the laws are carried out fairly The judicial branch is a system of courts whose head is the supreme court. There are 94 federal/district courts in the U.S. today Cases may make it all the way to the Supreme Court Supreme Court hears about 100 cases a year. The court can determine that some laws or actions by our gov’t are unconstitutional It also hears cases involving disputes between states and internt’l leaders The President appoints these members with the approval of Congress. It is a life long appointment

Flip over your notes! 10. Is the Supreme Court the only national or federal court? Explain. 11. What type of cases does the Supreme Court take? 12. What is the Supreme Court’s job when it comes to laws? 13. What happens if the Supreme Court feels a law is breaking the Constitution?

In your groups analyze and explain the following cartoon.

Article IV --> The States. This section just shows that states must honor the laws and court decisions of other states. For example if a someone flees his state because he is about to be arrested and goes to a state where he did not commit a crime, the new state must send him back It talks about how new states can be added to the country. Blah, blah, blah, blah

Article V How to amend (change)the constitution The following is the process in amending the constitution: 2/3 of both houses of congress must deem it necessary to propose the amendment or 2/3 of the states can do the same Then 3/4 of the states must vote to ratify the amendments The first ten amendments are called the Bill of Rights. These were added to protect the rights of the citizens. In our 200 + year history there have only been 27 amendments to out constitution

Articles VI and VII Article VI just says that if a state law conflicts with a federal law, then the federal law wins Whoever cares about Article II, raise your hand. Me neither.

Bill of Rights First 10 Amendments to the Constitution 1--Freedoms. Ex: Speech, religion, assembly 2--Bear arms. Ex: own a gun 3--No Quartering Acts 4--Privacy. Ex. Police need warrants, need probable cause to enter your house 5,6,7--Describe procedures the courts must follow when trying people accused of crimes. 8--Cruel and unusual punishment. 9--can’t mess with the constitution to deny rights 10--all rights not in the constitution go to the states or people

Which Amendment is this cartoon about? Explain.

Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances

With Rights come Responsibilities Citizens have responsibilities/ duties to other citizens and to the gov’t Ex: Obey laws Know what the laws are Respect people in authority (police/teachers) Cont: Paying taxes Protect the nation from harm. Register for the draft Called to and serve on jury Parents have resp to take care of children, children have resp to listen to parents.