1. The Constitutions Purpose
Ch.8,Lesson 2
Three Branches of Government
The Preamble is only an introduction.
“We the people of the United States…”
It explains the basic functions of the United States government.
It emphasizes the nation rather than the states
Preamble Explains basic functions:
The Constitutions Purpose
1. the government is to establish justice/fairness and ensure domestic tranquility
2. the government is to provide for the common defense, and defend against its enemies.
3. the government must promote the general welfare, or work for the common good of the nation.
4. the government must secure liberty, or freedom, for the nation’s people and its future generations

2. Ch.8,Lesson 2

3. The Legislative Branch
Ch.8,Lesson 2
Separation of powers – to keep any one branch from controlling the government.
* There are three branches of the federal government
1. Legislative
2. Executive
3. Judicial
Article. 1
The Legislative Branch
Congress
2 branches/houses
House of Representatives
the Senate
What are the main powers of Congress?
The main powers of Congress are to make laws, raise an army and a navy, declare war, and control commerce

4. Senators – were chosen by their state legislatures. (six-year terms)
Ch.8,Lesson 2
Electing & Terms
Hose of Representatives – citizens were given the power to vote for their representatives. (two-year terms)
* 10 YEAR CENSUS adjusts the number of representatives. So, states might either gain or lose representatives.
Senators – were chosen by their state legislatures. (six-year terms)
Today, citizens vote for members of both houses of Congress
The makeup of Congress was a substation debate at the Constitutional Convention

5. Article. 2 The Executive Branch Main power is to enforce the laws…
Ch.8,Lesson 2
Article. 2
The Executive Branch
Main power is to enforce the laws…
to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed”
To be President:
- must be at least 35 years old
- must have been born in the United States
- The president must also have lived in the United states for 14 years.
- The President is elected to a 4 year term.
The President can/is:
- Veto, or reject, bills passed by Congress. But Congress could then override the President’s veto with a two-thirds vote.
-The Commander in Chief of the US military
- be Impeached – if accused of crimes, and found guilty. The President could be removed from office.
2 Presidents have been impeached – Andrew Jackson and Bill Clinton.
Neither was convicted.

6. Ch.8,Lesson 2 Electing a president
- The Electoral College – Once, citizens voted for the ‘electors,’ which was known as the electoral college. Now the electoral college is divided up by state populations.
Why were the delegates careful to preserve the separation of powers?
They wanted to prevent one branch from having too much power.

7. Ch.8,Lesson 2

8. Ch.8,Lesson 2

9. Article. 3 The Judicial Branch
Must decide whether laws are working fairly.
The Judicial Branch is the court system
The Supreme Court is the Highest Court in the US
There are 9 Justices

10. They can declare laws “unconstitutional”
The Supreme Court has the power to strike down any law that goes against the Constitution.
They can declare laws “unconstitutional”
Only by changing the Constitution can Congress restore law struck down by the Supreme Court.
Rule of Law – the government must apply laws equally to every person.

11. Changing the Constitution
Amendments – are ‘changes’ to the Constitution.
Amendments can be proposed by a 2/3 two-thirds vote in Congress
For an Amendment to pass, three-fourths of all states must approve it
The Bill of Rights are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution

12. Succession of the Presidency
President of the United States Barack Obama
1 Vice President of the United States Joe Biden
2 Speaker of the House John Boehner
3 President pro tempore of the Senate Daniel Inouye
4 Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
5 Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner
6 Secretary of Defense Robert Gates*
7 Attorney General Eric Holder
8 Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar
9 Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack
10 Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke
11 Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis
12 Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius
13 Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan
14 Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood
15 Secretary of Energy Steven Chu
16 Secretary of Education Arne Duncan
17 Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki
18 Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano