1. The Constitution: A More Perfect Union
Chapter 9

2. Introduction 9:1 Delegates left Independence Hall in September 1787
Wanted ordinary citizens to understand and support the Constitution
Organized its contents very clearly
Short introduction
Divided the Constitution into parts called articles
First section in the article: describes how the president is chosen
Second section lists the president’s powers
Third section lists presidential duties
Fourth section explains how the president can be removed from office
Framers created it so it could also change with the times
Delegates left Independence Hall in September 1787
Each had a copy of the Constitution
Task now : To get it approved (ratified)
Writing the Constitution involved many compromises

3. The Preamble Tells the Goals of Government 9:2
The introduction to the Constitution
Explains the reasons and responsibilities of our government
The Constitution begins with the memorable phrase “We the People.” 
Stresses: the authority is with the people
Power to form the government did not come from:
The states
Existing governments
Sovereign (ruler) appointed by God
Power did come from:
Ordinary Americans
This concept is known as popular sovereignty (voting)
“Provide for the common defense.”
The national government would be responsible for protecting the nation against foreign enemies. 
“Promote the general Welfare.” 
Government could support an economy and a society in which people could prosper.
“Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.” 
By “posterity,” the delegates meant the generations that would come after them
“Form a more perfect Union.” 
They wanted the states to cooperate with each other
Create a strong relationship between the states and the national government
“Establish Justice.” 
Americans wanted to be ruled by laws, not by the might of soldiers or the decisions of kings
The same laws would apply to all people.
“Insure domestic Tranquility.” 
By domestic, they meant within the country
By tranquility, they meant peace and order
 It was the government’s job to keep peace and maintain order within the country

4. The Legislative Branch Makes Laws 9:3
The Structure of Congress
How Congress Makes Laws
How many do you get?
Every state gets two senators
Representation in the House is based on population
Constitution calls for a census (a count of the population) to be conducted every ten years
435 is max for the House
Qualifications?
Senators must be at least 30 years old
Citizens for nine years
Representatives members must be 25 years old
Citizens for just seven years
Bicameral, or two-part, national legislature called Congress
House of Representatives “Lower house”
Senate “Upper house”
Term Length?
Senate serve six-year terms
Have to face the voters less often
House serve two-year terms
Have to face the voters much more often
Primary job : to make laws
Anyone from the House or Senate can submit a proposal for a new law: called a bill
House can propose new taxes
Majority in one house votes in favor of the bill, it is sent to the other house for debate. 
If both houses approve the bill, it goes to the president. 
President signs it: New law
President can veto: Goes back
Congress can override veto: two-thirds majority in both houses.

5. The Legislative Branch Makes Laws 9:3
The Powers of Congress
Congress may “make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper” to carry out its other powers
Elastic clause
Powers not listed or written in the Constitution
Implied powers
Article I spells out other powers of Congress
Congress can decide how to spend the money raised through taxes
Other congressional powers include:
The power to raise an army and navy
To declare war
To pay government debts
To grant citizenship

6. The Executive Branch Carries Out the Laws 9:4
Electing the President
Article II
President would be selected by a group of electors
Electoral College Formula
Senators + Congressional Representatives
To win the presidency:
270 electoral votes
Term Limit:
Four-year term
Twenty-second Amendment: President may be reelected only once
President oath:
The oath calls for the president to “defend the Constitution.”
Qualifications:
A president must be a natural-born American citizen
At least 35 years old
Nothing in the Constitution prevents a woman from being elected president.

7. The Executive Branch Carries Out the Laws 9:4
The Powers of the President
Main responsibility:
Carry out laws passed by Congress
Other Powers
Commander in chief of the nation’s military forces 
Can make treaties with other nations
Need consent of Senate to make it official
The president nominates, or recommends:
Ambassadors (official representatives to other countries)
Supreme Court justices (judges)
Can grant pardons to people convicted of violating federal, or national, laws
Organization:
Departments: to carry out its duties
State Department handles relations with other nations
Justice Department is involved in law enforcement as well as court actions
The heads of executive departments
President’s cabinet
A formal group of advisers.

8. The Executive Branch Carries Out the Laws 9:4
Removing the President
Steps of impeachment
House votes to impeach
Senate puts the president on trial, with the senators serving as the jury
If found guilty, the president is removed from office
Can be removed if:
A president or other officials commit certain crimes related to their duties
The House of Representatives can vote to impeach the president
Means to formally accuse the president of the crimes specified in the Constitution
These include
Bribery
High Crimes
Misdemeanors

9. The Judicial Branch Interprets the Law 9:5
Federal Court System
Article III
Consists of the system of federal courts and judges
Establishes the Supreme Court
Gives Congress the power to create inferior (lower) courts
Only to meet the nation’s needs
Federal courts power
To resolve disputes that involve national laws
The federal government
Dispute amongst the states
People accused of breaking national laws can be tried in federal courts
Authorized two main sets of inferior federal courts
District courts
United States is divided into large geographic districts
Each district covers several states
Most cases involving federal laws are first heard
Citizens can appeal decisions given in district court
Appellate courts/Appeals court
Review cases, make sure the original trial was fair and legal
A decision by an appellate court can be appealed to the Supreme Court

10. The Judicial Branch Interprets the Law 9:5
The Powers of the Supreme Court 
Decisions are final
They are binding on all lower courts
Size:
Constitution does not specify the size of the Supreme Court
Nine justices are on the Supreme Court
Term:
Serve on court for life
Can be removed for a lack of “good behavior.”
Impeachment (legally removed)
Go straight to the Supreme Court if:
Involves a state or an ambassador from another country
Choosing Cases
Justices review and read cases
Vote on which to rule on
Decisions are announced and explained in writing
Used as a precedent on future cases
Judicial Review
Power to decide whether laws and acts are unconstitutional
Said to be the greatest power

11. Checks and Balances 9:6 Checks and Balances Concern: Hope:
Balance between a strong national government and protection for individual freedoms
Hope:
Dividing the federal government into three branches would limit the government’s power
Checks and Balances
The system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other two branches

12. Checks and Balances 9:6
Checking the Power of Other Branches
Balancing the Power of Other Branches
Checks allow one branch to block the actions of another branch
Example:
Congress has the power to pass laws
President can check this power by vetoing a bill
Congress override the veto by a two-thirds majority vote in each house
Purpose of balance:
Allow each branch of the government to have some role in the actions and power of the other branches
Example:
Judges, ambassadors, and cabinet members are appointed only if the president nominates them
Senate approves the nomination
Checks and balances keep any one branch of the federal government from being too strong

13. The Amendment Process 9:7
Changing the Constitution
Most Common Way to Amend
Purpose: To add to the Constitution
Framers knew the Constitution would need to be changed over time

14. The Amendment Process 9:7
Amendments So Far
People have suggested more than 10,000 amendments to the Constitution
Only 27 have been approved
The first 10 amendments were added almost immediately
Bill of Rights: first 10 amendments primarily guarantee specific rights to citizens.

15. The Federal System Connects the Nation and the States 9:8
Powers Belonging to the National Government
Importance of Common Market
Powers of National Gov’t
Declaring war
Making treaties
Print and coin money
Regulate interstate commerce
Trade and other business dealings between two or more states
Goods and resources could flow more easily across the country
Made it easier to create large businesses that crossed state lines
Helped to create a single national economy

16. The Federal System Connects the Nation and the States 9:8
 Federalism: the constitutional
system that shares power between
the national and state governments

17. The Federal System Connects the Nation and the States 9:8
Supreme Law of the Land
Article VI states that the Constitution is “supreme Law of the Land.” 
State’s constitution, laws, and judicial decisions must agree with the Constitution

18. Popular Participation in Government 9:9
Majority Rule
Involvement
Laws are passed in Congress by majority vote
Elections are decided by a majority of voters
Leaders must listen to the voters, or they will not be elected or reelected
Political Parties
No where in the Constitution does it say anything about Political Parties
Helps voters choose their leaders and influence the positions they take on issues
Interest groups
Interest groups for almost any issue that people might care about
Represent
Businesses
Industries
Workers
Groups of people
Churchgoers
Women
Minorities. 
Some are organized around issues, such as the environment or health care

19. Popular Participation in Government 9:9
Special Interest Influence
Influence government in different ways
Rally public opinion
Work to elect candidates who promise to listen to them
Try to persuade lawmakers and government officials to take actions they favor