United States Constitution Thomas Jefferson principal author of the Constitution. John Locke English writer who developed theory of “ Natural Rights “ Virginia Plan called for the development of a strong federal government with a bicameral legislature or two houses which favored the larger states as representation in the legislature would be based on population.

New Jersey Plan called for one house legislature in which each state had one vote. This favored the smaller states. Great Compromise, granted each state equal representation in one house regardless of size. ( two senators per each state ) Three Fifths Compromise, only three fifths of a states slave population would count in determining its representation.

Executive Branch: enforces the laws Legislative Branch: makes the laws Judicial Branch: interprets and applies the laws. System of Checks and Balances, gives each branch the means to restrain the powers of the other two. Impeachment or charging the President of a crime starts in the House of Representatives and ends with a trail by the Senate. ( Andrew Johnson1868, Bill Clinton 1998 ) Senate objected in both cases.

Veto, President can check the powers of congress by rejecting a bill. Override, congress has the power to overrule a Presidential veto by two thirds vote in both houses. Supreme Court, has the power to judge laws unconstitutional. Senate, approves Presidential appointees for federal judges. Congress, can impeach judges.

President, 35 years old, 14 years citizen, natural born citizen. 4-year terms (2, terms) Senator, 30 years old, 9 year citizen, resident of State, 6 year terms (unlimited) House of Representatives, 435 members, 25 years old, 7 years citizen, resident of State, 2 year terms (unlimited) (based on population) Supreme Court Judges, 9 members, appointed by President approved by Senate,(lifetime term) Elastic Clause, gives Congress powers to make all laws necessary to carry out powers of the Constitution.

Vacancy in the Senate is decided by the Governor of that state. Speaker of the House, presiding officer of the House of Representatives. Vice President, is the President of the Senate but has no vote. President Pro Tempore, chosen by the Senate in the absence of the Vice president. Electoral College, members of college based of number of representatives and senators of each state.

Powers of the Executive Branch Make treaties Appoint ambassadors, federal judges and other important officials Veto a bill Influence and pressure congress through the State of the Union Address, press conferences and speeches. Call congress into special session Pardon any prisoner

Powers of Legislative Branch Make laws All revenue bills must start in the House of Representatives. Approve federal judges and appointees (Senate) Impeachment of President and Judges. The tries an impeach President or Judge Override a Presidents veto

Powers of the Judicial Branch Check legislative powers by judging laws unconstitutional. Try cases in law and equity and all other laws of the United States and treaties made and cases of ambassadors and other public officials. Treason, levying war against the United States.

Extradition, power of state to have an person accused of a crime to be transferred to the state in which the alleged crime was committed and be brought to trail in that state. Bill of Rights, first ten amendments. Voting age, 18 Governor, highest political office of State Government.

Federal and State Powers Federal Government State Government Maintain military Declare war Coin Money Regulate trade between states and with foreign nations. Make all laws necessary for carrying out delegated powers. Admit new States Conduct elections Establish schools Regulate business within state. Regulate marriages Assume other powers not given to the national government. Establish local governments

Shared Powers Enforce laws ( The State governments enforce different laws than the federal government ) Establish Courts Collect taxes Provide for public welfare Borrow money Levy taxes

Bill of Rights /1 st 10 amendments 1 st,personal and political freedoms 2 nd, right to bear arms 3 rd, quartering of troops 4 th, search and seizure; search warrants 5 th, rights of the accused persons 6 th, speedy trial 7 th, jury trial 8 th, cruel and unusual punishment 9 th, rights of the people 10 th, states rights

Other amendments 13 th, abolition of slavery 18 th, prohibition of liquor 19 th women’s suffrage 21 st, repeal of prohibition 26 th, lowering of voting age to 18