Government, Citizenship, and the Constitution, 1787–Present The American Nation Chapter 8 Government, Citizenship, and the Constitution, 1787–Present Copyright © 2003 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.

The Preamble Defines the Constitution’s Basic Goals Chapter 8, Section 1 To form a more perfect union The states work together as one unified nation, not as separate nations. To establish justice The justice system requires that the law be applied fairly to every American. To ensure domestic tranquillity The government can ensure domestic tranquillity, or peace and order at home. To provide for the common defense To protect citizens against foreign attack, the national government can raise armies and navies. However, the military is under civilian, or nonmilitary, control. To promote the general welfare The national government promotes the general welfare, or the well-being of all its citizens. To secure the blessing of liberty A major goal of the Constitution is to protect the liberty, or freedom, of Americans. Preamble—opening statement

The Articles Describe a Framework of Government Chapter 8, Section 1 Article I Describes the legislative branch. Establishes powers and limits on Congress. Article II Describes the executive branch. Establishes powers and limits of the President. Article III Describes the judicial branch. Establishes powers and limits of the courts. Article IV Explains relations between the states. Requires states to honor one another’s laws. Sets out a system for admitting new states. Article V Provides a process for amending the Constitution. Article VI Says the Constitution is the “supreme law of the land.” No state law may violate the Constitution.

The Constitution Provides a System of Checks and Balances Chapter 8, Section 1

Seven Basic Principles of Government Chapter 8, Section 1 Popular Sovereignty The principle that government gets its authority from the people, therefore people have a right to change or abolish their government. Limited Government The principle that government has only the powers that the Constitution gives it. Everyone, no matter how important, must obey the law. Separation of Powers The idea of limiting government power by dividing it among different branches of government. Checks and Balances Each branch of government has power to check, or limit, actions of the other branches. Federalism The principle of dividing power between the federal government and the states. Republicanism A form of government in which citizens elect representatives to carry out their will. Individual Rights Individual rights include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to trial by jury.

Separation of Powers Chapter 8, Section 1

Federalism Chapter 8, Section 1

The Legislative Branch: Congress Chapter 8, Section 2 House of Representatives 435 members Number of representatives for a state is based on that state’s population 2-year terms Leader of the House is the Speaker. Senate 100 members Two senators per state 6-year terms Leader of the Senate is the Vice President of the United States. When the Vice President is away, the president pro tempore takes over.

The Legislative Branch: The Powers of Congress Chapter 8, Section 2 Listed Powers and Duties of Congress To make laws To levy taxes To borrow money To coin money To establish post offices To fix standard weights and measures To declare war Elastic Clause Congress can “make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper” for carrying out its duties.

How a Bill Becomes a Law Bill—a proposal for a law Chapter 8, Section 2 Bill—a proposal for a law

The Executive Branch: Powers and Duties of the President Chapter 8, Section 2 To carry out the nation’s laws To direct foreign policy To make treaties To appoint ambassadors To act as Commander in Chief of the armed forces To suggest new laws and work for their passage Can grant pardons Can call special sessions of Congress To stand as a symbol of the nation

Electing the President: Presidential Facts Chapter 8, Section 2 The President is elected for a 4-year term. The President may be elected to no more than two complete terms. The President is elected by a complex system known as the electoral college. When Americans vote for President, they are really voting for a group of electors pledged to the candidate. A few weeks after Election Day, the electors meet in each state to vote. The candidate who receives a majority of the electoral votes nationwide becomes President.

Electing the President: The Electoral College Chapter 8, Section 2

The Judicial Branch Chapter 8, Section 2

Examples of Checks and Balances Chapter 8, Section 2 One branch checks another branch by doing the following President Congress vetoing, or rejecting, bills Congress has passed overriding, or overruling, the President’s veto approving or disapproving Presidential appointments ratify or not ratify treaties the President has negotiated The House can impeach, or bring charges of wrongdoing against, the President. The Senate then conducts a trial. Supreme President and Congress declaring laws unconstitutional

Amending the Constitution Chapter 8, Section 3

The Bill of Rights First Amendment Chapter 8, Section 3 First Amendment Safeguards individual rights—freedom of religion, speech, the press, the right to assemble peacefully, the right to petition the government to change its policies. Second Amendment “A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” Third Amendment Congress may not force citizens to put up troops in their homes. Fourth Amendment Citizens are protected from unlawful searches of their homes and property. Fifth Amendment People cannot be forced to incriminate, or give evidence against, themselves.

The Bill of Rights Sixth Amendment Chapter 8, Section 3 Sixth Amendment People are guaranteed the right to a speedy and public trial by a fair jury. The accused have a right to know the charges against them and who is making the charges. Seventh Amendment Provides for juries in civil, or non criminal, trials. Eighth Amendment Forbids excessive bail or fines and “cruel and unusual punishments.” Ninth Amendment Citizens’ rights are not limited to those listed in the Constitution. Tenth Amendment All powers not given to the national government or denied to the states are reserved for the states or for the people.