1. PREAMBLE & PRINCIPLES Constitution

2. B. Seven Principles of the Constitution 1. Popular Sovereignty  A. Government in which people rule  B. As the nation grew, this idea took on a new meaning in governing oneself. 2. Republicanism- Republic A. Framers wanted the people to have a voice in government, feared public opinion might stand in the way of decision making. B. people exercising power by electing representatives to voice their political ideas. C. Law makers had key role in making this work- “every state has a republican form of government.”

3. Seven Principles con’t. 3. Federalism  A. Framers wanted the States and the nation to become partners in governing.  B. Nation government and States share power powers  C. Constitution assigns certain powers National Government  1. These are Delegated powers Powers kept by the states are 2. reserved powers Powers shared by both national government and state government 3. concurrent powers

4. Seven Principles con’t. 4. Separation of Powers  1. No one group or person can gain too much power.  2. Framers avoided this problem, basic government was divided into 3 branches.  Article 1  Legislative Branch- Congress makes the laws  Article 2  Executive Branch- President enforces the laws  Article 3  Judicial Branch- Supreme Court Interprets the law

5. How is power evenly distributed? 5. Checks and Balances  a. Each branch can exercise checks, or controls over the branches.  b. This system helps each branch to work together fairly  Examples:  Congress can pass laws, President can check this power by refusing to sign a law into action.  Supreme Court can declare a law passed by congress and signed by the President, violates the Constitution.

6. How is abuse of power prevented? 6. Limited Government  a. Everyone must obey the laws, citizens or powerful leaders-  “No one is above the law”  b. No one can twist or bypass the law to serve their own purpose.  c. Democracy- All qualified citizens have a privilege of voting and therefore determine the kind of government we have

7. How are personal freedoms protected? 7. Individual Rights  a. First ten Amendments protect people from an overly powerful government  b. These ten Amendments are the Bill of Rights they guarantee personal liberties and privileges  The idea of the Constitution is reflected in the motto of the United States “ E pluribus, unum”  ( means from many, one)

8. I. Preamble A. Explains reasons for new Government.  “We the People of the United States, in order”  1. Based on the People themselves- Popular Sovereignty.  “Form a more perfect Union”  1. Create a nation in which states work together-  2. examples- Interstate road network, U.S. coins, paper money “Establish Justice” 1. make laws and set up courts that are fair. 2. examples- court system, Jury system

9. Preamble con’t. “Insure domestic Tranquility”  1. Keep peace within the country.  2. examples- national guard, federal marshalls.  “Provide for the common defense”  1. safe guard the country against attack.  2. examples- army, navy “Promote General Welfare” 1. contribute to happiness well being of all people 2. examples- safe in the work place, aid to the poor.

10. Preamble con’t. “Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.” 1. make sure ourselves and future generations of citizens remain free.  2. examples commission on civil rights, Federal election commission.  “do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

11. Article I The Legislature (Congress) Law making branch of government  Bicameral legislature ( two houses)  H.R. Lower House ( 435 members 1910 congress limited # of reps to 435)  Constitution made sure House would be elected by the people themselves)  Senate Upper House 2 senators from each state ( 100 members)

12. Article I (continued) Qualifications President  Term -4 years, minimum age 35  Residency 14 years U.S., Citizenship Nat. Born Senator 6 years, 30 years old, live in state elected, citizenship 9 years Representative 2 years, 25 age, state elected Supreme Court Unlimited, none, none, none

13. Article 1 (Impeachment) Impeachment Formal accusation of a wrong doing by a public official, pres., judge, politician.  Only H.R. can impeach- bring charges of misbehavior -Senate will try case in the Senate- senate is jury. -Judge or politician V.P. will be judge. - If it’s the Pres. Chief Justice S.C. will be judge. - 2/3 majority of senate needed to convict. - Dismissed from office then can face criminal charges.

14. Article 2 The Executive Branch A. Carries out the laws made by Congress. B. President and Vice President C. President:  1. Chosen indirectly by the people  2. Chosen by the Electoral College  a. Electors per state = # of senators + representatives in state  b. Person cannot be elected for more than two four year terms  c. V.P. replaces President for more than two years can only be elected once  d. Most V.P. can serve as President 10 yrs. 2 replacing + 2 terms

15. President continued 3. Role of the President  a. Commander-in-Chief all military forces  b. Solves Diplomatic problems- makes key decisions  c. Appoints Ambassadors, Supreme Court Justices etc.  d. Makes Treaties- 2/3 majority Senate approval  e. Power to grant all reprieves or pardons 4. Line of Succession office of President, 1 st 5 after President a. vice Presidente. Secretary of Treasury b. Speaker of the House c. Senate Pro Temp d. Secretary of State

16. Vice President 1. This person will be next in line of succession if President cannot fulfill his duties. 2. President of the Senate  a. He does not vote unless there is a tie  b. Senate will choose a President Pro Temp in absence of V.P. or when he is President. 3. He will be in charge of impeachment hearings of a public official, unless Himself or President is charged- then chief justice of Supreme Court is in charge

17. Article 3 Judicial Branch A. Interprets the law and punishes  Appellate- district- federal- supreme court B. helped set up Checks and Balances by determining if things are constitutional. C. Judicial Review established 1803 Marbury v. Madison.  1. 1 st time Judicial branch got involved in checking gov’t.

18. Continued Elastic Clause- power given to congress ‘ may make all laws necessary and proper” Gives congress the flexibility to do its job. Over the years this power allows them to do things that were never listed in its powers in the Constitution.

19. Article 4 Relations among States A. All states honor other’s laws, records and court rulings- promotes cooperation, equality fair treatment B. EXTRADITION – person charged of a serious crime cannot escape punishment by fleeing to another state.  1. must be returned to state of crime for trial and punishment

20. Article 5 Amending the Constitution A. It can adapt to modern times.- it can be changed B. Constitution is a living document C. 2/3 majority of both houses, 2/3 majority of state legislatures at a Nat’l. convention needed to propose a new amendment. D. to here and ratify proposal ¾ of all state legislatures, ¾ of the states at a Nat’l. convention

21. Article 6Law of Supremacy 1. Law of Supremacy- when a state law comes in conflict with a national or federal law the federal law will override the state law. 2. Constitution is the supreme Law of the land.

22. Article 7Ratification 1. Ratification of Constitution 1789  a. 9 out of 13 had to ratify  b. 5 states refused to ratify unless a “Bill of Rights” protecting individual rights was added to the Constitution.  Virginia, New York, Massachusetts, N. Carolina, Rhode Island  c. after Bill of Rights unanimous approval.