The Constitution "The Rule Book"

7 Major principles of the U.S. Constitution 7 principles(ideas) on which the CONSTITUTION is built:

Popular Sovereignty Authority of the people Government by the consent of the governed Real World Example: Voting, Petitions

Republicanism people vote for Representatives (to work for them in the government) REAL WORLD EXAMPLE: Elections

Limited government Government would only have powers granted to it by the people NO ONE is above the law. Real World Example: Elected officials must obey laws (drunk driving, tax evasion)

Federalism - Power is shared between national/federal & states governments Expressed & implied – (Federal) Reserved - State Concurrent powers (shared powers) Venn Diagram Activity

Separation of powers 3 branches of government

Checks and Balances Each branch can check & limit the power of the other branches. Not one can do much without the others.

Individual rights Bill of Rights! 1-10 Amendments Protects basic liberties & rights. Real World Examples: Freedom of speech, press, religion, etc.

THE CONSTITUTION: BUILT ON PRINCIPLES The Preamble: The intro; purpose of government; "We the People..." 6 goals: |1. more perfect union| |4. common defence| |2. establish justice| |5. general welfare| |3. ensure domestic tranquility | |6. Blessings of liberty| ARTICLES: How we meet those goals |I - Legislative Branch| |V - Amendment process| |II - Executive Branch| |VI - Debts, Supremacy, Oaths| |III - Judicial Branch| |VII- Ratification| IV- The States AMENDMENTS: Improvements Bill of Rights 27 total. The Preamble: The intro; purpose of government; "We the People..." 6 goals: |1. more perfect union| |4. common defence| |2. establish justice| |5. general welfare| |3. ensure domestic tranquility | |6. Blessings of liberty| ARTICLES: How we meet those goals |I - Legislative Branch| |V - Amendment process| |II - Executive Branch| |VI - Debts, Supremacy, Oaths| |III - Judicial Branch| |VII- Ratification| IV- The States AMENDMENTS: Improvements Bill of Rights 27 total.

FEDERALISM

Checks & Balances

A Living Constitution - How to Amend the Constitution PROPOSED BY: 2/3 vote of each house in CONGRESS PROPOSED BY: National Convention called by congress at the request of 2/3 of state legislatures RATIFIED BY: 3/4 of State Legislatures RATIFIED BY: 3/4 of State Conventions HOW TO PROPOSE: HOW TO RATIFY:

A Living Constitution - Interpretation ELASTIC CLAUSE: ARTICLE 1 Section 8 - "make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper" for executing all the powers of government. Interpreted to mean that Congress has IMPLIED POWERS: powers not defined in Constitution and can use COMMERCE CLAUSE: regulation of airlines, radio, television, nuclear energy ELASTIC CLAUSE: ARTICLE 1 Section 8 - "make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper" for executing all the powers of government. Interpreted to mean that Congress has IMPLIED POWERS: powers not defined in Constitution and can use COMMERCE CLAUSE: regulation of airlines, radio, television, nuclear energy

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT - aka: national, central CONGRESS:POWERS: makes laws; controls spending, declares war CHECKS: impeach any federal officials; override president's veto HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: -435 members- based on pop. -tax and spending bills -starts impeachment -25 years old -2 year terms SENATE: -100 members - 2 per state. -ratify treaties -approve appointments -tries impeachment -30 years old -6 year terms (1/3 every 2 yrs) ARTICLE 1 - The Legislative Branch - makes laws, imposes taxes, and declares war.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT - aka: national, central ARTICLE 2 - The Executive Branch - carries out the laws PRESIDENT: Man of many hats |-Chief Diplomat | |-Chief Executive| |-Commander in Chief| |-Chief of Party| |-Head of State| |-Watchdog of the economy| |-Legislative Leader| CHECKS: appoints supreme court justices, can veto bills written by congress. VICE PRESIDENT: president of Senate CABINET: advise the president on issues related to dept. |-Sec. of State, Sec. of Defence, Sec. of Interior, Sec. of Health & Human Services, Sec. of Energy, Attorney General.| ARTICLE 2 - The Executive Branch - carries out the laws PRESIDENT: Man of many hats |-Chief Diplomat | |-Chief Executive| |-Commander in Chief| |-Chief of Party| |-Head of State| |-Watchdog of the economy| |-Legislative Leader| CHECKS: appoints supreme court justices, can veto bills written by congress. VICE PRESIDENT: president of Senate CABINET: advise the president on issues related to dept. |-Sec. of State, Sec. of Defence, Sec. of Interior, Sec. of Health & Human Services, Sec. of Energy, Attorney General.|

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT - aka: national, central ARTICLE 3 - The Judicial Branch - Interprets the Law SUPREME COURT - 1 chief justice & 8 associate justices. |-chooses to hear cases from lower courts - writes decisions| |as opinions. | |-Solves disputes between states.| |-| JUDICIAL REVIEW: power to declare a law |unconstitutional.| -district courts: 91 courts; hear cases related to federal laws -appeals courts: 14 courts; review district court decisions ARTICLE 3 - The Judicial Branch - Interprets the Law SUPREME COURT - 1 chief justice & 8 associate justices. |-chooses to hear cases from lower courts - writes decisions| |as opinions. | |-Solves disputes between states.| |-| JUDICIAL REVIEW: power to declare a law |unconstitutional.| -district courts: 91 courts; hear cases related to federal laws -appeals courts: 14 courts; review district court decisions

Rights & Citizen Participation