The story of the U.S. Constitution Liberty Tree

Magna Carta English Bill of Rights Liberty Tree Fundamental Orders of Connecticut Mayflower Compact Town Hall Meetings House of Burgesses Articles of Confederation Continental Congress U.S. Constitution

At the Constitutional Convention, the delegates created a new plan for the U.S. government that focused on two things. Structure and Function

Structure Structure Structure is the framework of our government.

structure What do you notice about the of a tree? What do you notice about the structure of a tree? limbs root system branches leaves tree bark

three Judicial Legislative Executive The government structure has three branches.

Structure Legislative Branch: Structure Senate 2 per state2 per state 6-year terms6-year terms House of Representatives based on populationbased on population 2-year terms2-year terms Elected by the people Bicameral = made of two houses

Structure Executive Branch: Structure President (4-year term)President (4-year term) Vice-PresidentVice-President Cabinet MembersCabinet Members AppointeesAppointees

Structure Executive Branch:Structure Vice President Vice- President Joe Biden Barack Obama PresidentPresident Secretaryof Secretary ofState State John Kerry

Structure Judicial Branch: Structure U. S. Supreme Court (life-terms)U. S. Supreme Court (life-terms) District Courts (appointed)District Courts (appointed) County and Local Courts (elected)County and Local Courts (elected) U. S. Supreme Court (life-terms)U. S. Supreme Court (life-terms) District Courts (appointed)District Courts (appointed) County and Local Courts (elected)County and Local Courts (elected)

function provides shade home for some animals holdssoilinplace holds soil in place What is the function of a tree?

provide for the common defense provide for the common defense ensure domestic tranquility ensure domestic tranquility promote the general welfare promote the general welfare justice establish justice secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves, and our secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves, and our posterity The preamble to the Constitution tells the function or WHAT the government does for the people.

Idea may become a bill (proposed law) in House of Representatives or Senate Makes lawsMakes laws Legislative Branch:Function Function U.S. Congress Elected by the peopleElected by the people People discuss ideas and tell representatives in Congress Bill becomes a law if approved by both houses and signed by the President

Executive Branch: Function The White House Ensures that the laws are carried outEnsures that the laws are carried out Elected by the people and electoral college systemElected by the people and electoral college system

Judicial Branch: Function Function Supreme Court Interprets the laws (decides if laws are fair) Tries civil and criminal cases in lower courts Nine justices on U.S. Supreme CourtNine justices on U.S. Supreme Court Appointed by President and approved by CongressAppointed by President and approved by Congress

Each branch checks and balances the other branches. President Congress Court Supreme Court

Legislative branch can remove judges from office Executive branch can veto law Legislative branch makes laws Checks and Balances Legislative branch can override presidential veto with a 2/3 vote Judicial branch can declare a law unconstitutional

Executive branch appoints Supreme Court justices Legislative branch has to approve the appointment of the justices

House of Representatives brings charges against the President (impeach) Legislative branch can remove president from office Senate holds a trial and 2/3 vote needed to remove President from office

The U.S. Constitution has articles that explain the structure and function of the government. The U.S. Constitution has seven articles that explain the structure and function of the government.

Article 1: Legislative Branch Article 2: Executive Branch Article 3: Judicial Branch Article 4: Relations Among States Article 5: Amending the Constitution Article 6: National Supremacy Article 7: Ratification

The structure and function of our government are based on seven basic principles.

Seven Basic Principles of the Constitution government Limited powers of government Separation of powers Popular sovereignty Checks and balances Individual rights Republicanism Federalism

Since King George III had unlimited power, the writers of the U.S. Constitution wanted “we the people” to put limits on the government. The Constitution outlined exactly what the government could do.

Separation of powers divides the operation of government into three equal branches.

“Sovereignty” comes from “sovereign” which means ruler. “Popular” means people.. Popular sovereignty = people choose In other words…

Popular sovereignty is the belief that the people hold the final authority in government.

Each branch of the government, or monitors, the power of the other two branches. Each branch of the government checks and balances, or monitors, the power of the other two branches.

Individual rights are the basic liberties and rights that are guaranteed in the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights. These individual rights have been extended through subsequent amendments to the Constitution. Examples Freedom of speechFreedom of press Freedom of religionRight to a trial by jury jury

Republicanism is a philosophy of limited government in which elected representatives serve at the will of the people. Examples State legislaturesCongress

Federalism is the division and sharing of powers between the state and national government. National Powers maintain armed forcesmaintain armed forces coin moneycoin money declare wardeclare war make foreign policymake foreign policy State Powers provide for educationprovide for education conduct electionsconduct elections provide public safetyprovide public safety regulate trade in stateregulate trade in state

Powers Shared by National and State Governments raise taxesraise taxes administer criminal justiceadminister criminal justice provide for public welfareprovide for public welfare charter bankscharter banks borrow moneyborrow money

Rooted in these seven principles, the U.S. Constitution has endured since This living document protects the rights of the individuals by limiting the power of the government.

Visual Metaphor: How is the U.S. government like a tricycle? How is the U.S. government like a tricycle? Visual Metaphor: How is the U.S. government like a tricycle? How is the U.S. government like a tricycle? Handle bars = Constitution Platform = Separation of powers

The foundation of our government and the supreme law of the land