1. Bell Ringer – 10/25/07 Explain the Articles of Confederation What are the qualifications to be the United States president? Which of the 27 Amendments do you think is most important to America today? Why?

2. Constitution Information Articles of Confederation – our country’s first Constitution. It did not provide for courts. Impeached – to be removed from office. This requires a 2/3 vote by the Senate Census – a count on the U.S. population. This is done every 10 years. (2000 was the last) Illinois senators – Dick Durbin & Barack Obama

3. Study Guide Terms Ex-Post Facto – a law to punish a man for something that was not against the law when he did it Bill of Attainder – punishment without trial, it is forbidden by the Constitution Habeas Corpus – an order making a jailer show that a man is in jail for a good reason Due process of law – what Americans are guaranteed. Courts may not take a man’s life without this.

4. Rights of Accused Right to trial by jury Has the right to hear the witnesses against him May refuse to testify against himself (under 5 th Amendment)

5. Congress – The Legislative Branch H + S = C 435 + 100 = 535 members of Congress Each state is awarded 2 (50 x 2 = 100) senators. The # of Representatives sent to the House from each state is by population Only Congress can declare war The President of the Senate is the Vice President of the U.S. (Dick Cheney)

6. Laws - Congress makes a law (bill), it is sent to the President for signature. If President doesn’t send back within 10 days, then it becomes a law. Money – may only be coined or printed by Congress Tax bills - may only be written by the House of Representatives

7. Major Amendments 1 st – Freedom of speech, religion, & press 5 th – Rights of the accused 9 th – Protects people’s rights not mentioned in the Constitution 10 th - Amendment 13 th – Abolition of slavery 16 th – Established income tax 18 th – Prohibition (bans alcohol) repealed by the 21 st Amendment 19 th – Women’s right to vote 26 th – Lowers voting age to 18 years old

8. Presidents If President dies, Vice President becomes President No person can serve more than 10 years as President. This would include 2 years as Pres if they had been VP and the Pres died and then elected twice for 4 years each President is the Commander-in- Chief of the Army and Navy

9. Supremacy clause – located in Article 6, it says the Constitution is the “supreme law of the land” U.S. citizen – all people who are born her or have been naturalized Judicial Branch – includes Supreme Court and U.S. courts. Supreme Court judges must be nominated by the President. There are 8 judges and 1 Chief Justice. (9 justices)

10. SENATORS At least 30 y.o. Citizen at least 9 years 6 year term 2 from each state (100 total) REPRESENTATIVES At least 25 y.o. Citizen for 7 years 2 year term 435 members of House of Reps States with larger population have more