WHY THE CONSTITUTION? In its early years, the United States had a government called the Articles of Confederation. Why replace it? Shays’ Rebellion proved that the government was too weak. It could not tax or enforce laws. The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia (1787). The purpose was to revise the Articles of Confederation, but they ended up replacing it with the Constitution.

FOUNDATIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION MAGNA CARTA (1215) HOUSE OF BURGESSES (1619) MAYFLOWER COMPACT (1620) FUNDAMENTAL ORDERS OF CONN. (1630) ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS (1689) CONSTITUTION (1787)

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 defense, 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. Goal #1 Goal #2 Goal #3 Goal #4 Goal #5 Goal #6

ARTICLE ONE THE CONGRESS

The Congress is the House of Representatives and Senate combined. All lawmaking powers are given to Congress. Congress is bicameral, which means that it has two chambers. The House of Representatives is called the lower chamber. The Senate is called the upper chamber.

THE GREAT COMPROMISE The framers of the Constitution created a bicameral Congress to balance the power between the large and small states. Independence Hall in Philadelphia Inside of Independence Hall in Philadelphia The House is based on population and the Senate is based on equality.

THE THREE-FIFTHS COMPROMISE Southern states wanted slaves to be counted as part of their population so that they would get more representatives. Northern states said, “No!” The 3/5 Compromise said that slaves would count as 60% of a citizen. It is called the 3/5 Compromise because 3/5 = 60%.

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 435 members Must be at least 25 years old. 7 years a citizen. A resident of the state. Elected every 2 years. Based upon the population of each state. Texas has 32 U.S. Representatives.

THE SENATE 100 members. Must be at least 30 years old. 9 years a citizen. A resident of the state. Elected every 6 years. 2 from each state

THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE The Vice-President of the United States also serves as the President of the Senate. He is allowed to vote only if there is a tie in the Senate.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE tie

POWERS OF CONGRESS Article I grants the Congress certain powers such as: The power to tax The power to declare war Etc…

THE ELASTIC CLAUSE Congress has the power to “make all laws which shall be necessary and proper.” This allows the Constitution to be flexible throughout time. When the Constitution was written there were no planes, cars, or internet, but we have laws for all of these today.

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH Article II of the Constitution

ARTICLE II THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH The President symbolizes the power and prestige of the United States.

REQUIREMENTS 35 YEARS OF AGE NATURAL BORN CITIZEN RESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR 14 YEARS SERVES A TERM OF 4 YEARS CAN SERVE ONLY TWO TERMS (8 YEARS).

RESPONSIBILITIES To faithfully execute (enforce) the laws of the United States. Head of the Executive branch of government. Commander-in-chief of the military. Appoints justices to the Supreme Court.

Franklin Roosevelt (center) during World War II Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War George Bush visiting soldiers on Thanksgiving RESPONSIBILITIES

President meets with his cabinet. President meets with the Supreme Court. RESPONSIBILITIES

LEGISLATIVE POWERS Can use the power of the presidency to set a national agenda and suggest legislation for the Congress to consider. Can sign a bill to make it a law. Can veto a bill and stop it from becoming a law.

THE VICE-PRESIDENT Assumes the Presidency if the President dies, resigns, is impeached, or is unable to serve. Lyndon Johnson is sworn in as president after JFK was assassinated in Dallas. Richard Nixon resigned as president. Vice President Gerald Ford became president.

ELECTING THE PRESIDENT Presidential election is every four years. Voters are actually casting their vote for electors who will represent their state in the Electoral College. There are 538 electoral votes, and a candidate must get more than half to win.

ELECTORAL COLLEGE 2 Senators + Representatives = Electoral Votes 270 votes needed to win

ELECTORAL COLLEGE 2008 Election

THE JUDICIAL BRANCH Article III of the Constitution

ARTICLE I (Legislative Branch) U.S. Capitol ARTICLE II (Executive Branch) White House ARTICLE III (Judicial Branch) Supreme Court PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE

There is no age requirement and no citizenship requirement. There are 9 justices (not called judges) on the Supreme Court. The leader is the Chief Justice. To get on the Supreme Court, the president must nominate you, and the Senate must confirm you. This is an example of checks and balances. If you get on the Supreme Court, you serve a term of life. ARTICLE III THE SUPREME COURT

The main function of the Supreme Court is to interpret laws. This is called judicial review. Judicial review requires the court to determine if a law is constitutional.

YOU DON’T NEED TO COPY THIS SLIDE QUESTION: If the Congress passed a law which said that it is now illegal to criticize the president or the congress, would this law be constitutional? ANSWER: No, because the 1 st Amendment of the Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of speech. Therefore, the Supreme Court would rule this law unconstitutional. ARTICLE III THE SUPREME COURT

ARTICLE V AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION The Constitution can be amended (added to) under certain rules. 2/3 of the House of Representatives must approve the amendment. 2/3 of the Senate must approve the amendment. ¾ of the states must approve the amendment. 291 of 435 House members 67 of 100 Senators 38 of 50 States

SOME AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION 13 th Amendment: Slavery was abolished (1865) 14 th Amendment: Civil Rights for former slaves (1868) 15 th Amendment: Right to vote for former slaves (1870) 16 th Amendment: Income Tax (1913) 19 th Amendment: Women got the right to vote (1920) 22 nd Amendment: President can serve only two terms (1951) 26 th Amendment: 18-year-olds may vote (1971)

REVIEW (Articles I, II, & III) Article I (Legislative Branch) Job is to make laws. Article II (Executive Branch) Job is to enforce laws. Article III (Judicial Branch) Job is to interpret laws.

ARTICLE I LEGISLATIVE BRANCH ARTICLE II EXECUTIVE BRANCH ARTICLE III JUDICIAL BRANCH HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSENATE PRESIDENTSUPREME COURT How many members are in the House? How many members are in the Senate? Who is the leader of the Executive Branch? Who is the leader of the Judicial Branch? How old must you be? How long must you be a citizen? Are you elected or appointed? How many years is the term? How many representatives does each state have? How many Senators does each state have? How many times can you be elected? What is the process called when deciding if a law is constitutional? Is your job to make laws, enforce laws, or interpret laws? ASSIGNMENT- Use your notes to complete the chart President Chief Justice No minimum Elected Appointed 264Life Depends on the population 2Twice Make Enforce Interpret 7914 No minimum Judicial review