Creating a Republic Part 3(A) The Constitution of the United States of America

The U.S. is a Republic The United States is a REPUBLIC which uses democracy. In a REPUBLIC, the people choose representatives to govern them. It is up to the people to make the government work for them. If it is not working, it is their responsibility to change it.

5 Key Principles of the Constitution Popular Sovereignty Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Limited Government Federalism Federalism Separation of Powers Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Checks and Balances

Popular Sovereignty: The people hold the final authority of power.

Limited Government The government is not all powerful, but can do only what the people say it can do.

Federalism The division of power between the national government and state governments.

Separation of Powers Division of the operations of the national government into 3 branches, each with their own powers and responsibilities.

Checks and Balances The ability of each branch of the national government to check, or control the power of the other two branches.

The Preamble " We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence(sic), 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 7 Articles of the Constitution #1 – The Legislative Branch #1 – The Legislative Branch #2 – The Executive Branch #2 – The Executive Branch #3 – The Judicial Branch #3 – The Judicial Branch #4 – The States #4 – The States #5 – Amendment Process #5 – Amendment Process #6 – Debts, Supremacy, Oaths #6 – Debts, Supremacy, Oaths #7 – Ratification #7 – Ratification

Our constitution has worked because it is a living document. No other written constitution in the world has lasted as long as ours. In fact, many nations have used our constitution as a model as they have set up their own governments.

Americans were the first people to write a constitution setting up a government. Yet many ideas in the Constitution had come from other sources.

Some Americans looked at the League of the Iroquois, and how the different tribes had united.

Ideas were also borrowed from Europe, particularly from two different philosophers. *Englishman John Locke *Frenchman Baron de Montesquieu

John Locke All people have the right to life, liberty, and property. All people have the right to life, liberty, and property. If rulers violate peoples’ rights, the people should rebel and change the leadership. If rulers violate peoples’ rights, the people should rebel and change the leadership.

Montesquieu Believed in dividing the government into 3 different branches. “SEPARATION OF POWERS”.

Federalism Many people debated about how to divide power between states and the national government. The sharing of power between the two is called FEDERALISM.

Some powers are shared, while others are not.

The Federal Government is made up of 3 Branches that have individual powers, duties, and responsibilities. The idea that each branch of government has rights and responsibilities, and some control over the other two, is known as: SEPARATION OF POWERS.

Legislative Branch – The Congress LEGISLATIVE BRANCH — The Congress

Legislative Branch Members of the House of Representatives serve 2 year terms and Senators serve 6 year terms. Members of the House of Representatives serve 2 year terms and Senators serve 6 year terms. Their main function is to make laws. Their main function is to make laws. They also have the power to collect taxes and to regulate foreign and domestic trade. They also have the power to collect taxes and to regulate foreign and domestic trade. They also have power to declare war. They also have power to declare war.

Below are the two houses of Congress. When the flag flies, they are in session. House of RepresentativesThe Senate

The House of Representatives

The Senate

Executive Branch ___ The President

Executive Branch Made up of the President and Vice President and presidential advisers. Made up of the President and Vice President and presidential advisers. Elected to a 4 year term, and may be re-elected once. Elected to a 4 year term, and may be re-elected once. Carries out laws passed by Congress. Carries out laws passed by Congress. Commander in Chief of armed forces, and is responsible for foreign relations. Commander in Chief of armed forces, and is responsible for foreign relations.

South Lawn of the White House

North Portico of the White House

Judicial Branch The Supreme Court and other federal courts hear cases that involve the Constitution or any laws passed by Congress. The Supreme Court and other federal courts hear cases that involve the Constitution or any laws passed by Congress. They also hear cases arising between two or more states. They also hear cases arising between two or more states. Courts also interpret laws, and make sure they are fair and/or legal. Courts also interpret laws, and make sure they are fair and/or legal.

The 11 Judicial Circuits in the U. S.

The 11 Circuit Courts are further divided into 94 District Courts.

The Supreme Court of the U. S.

The Nine Justices – 2010

Inner Chamber of the U. S. Supreme Court

Qualifications to be a: *Representative *Senator *President *Supreme Court Justice

OfficeNumberTermSelectionRequirements Member of the House of Reps. At least one per state based on population 2 Years Elected by voters in 435 Congressional districts. *Age 25 *Citizen for 7 years *Resident of the state running in Senator Two per state 6 Years Originally chosen by state legislatures, now by voters *Age 30 *Citizen for 9 years *Resident of the state running in President and Vice President One4 Years Elected by the Electoral College *Age 35 *Natural Born Citizen *14 Year Resident Supreme Court Justice NineLifeAppointed by the President, approved by the Senate *No specific requirements in the U. S. Constitution