1. Mrs.Barbour 8th Grade US History
The U.S. Constitution
Mrs.Barbour
8th Grade
US History

2. A “Living” Document Provides a strong central govt. Flexible
Keeps basic features and changes with the times

3. The Preamble: The Introduction Explains the reasons for the new govt.
“We the People” – popular sovereignty
Lists the goals of the govt.

4. Goals of the Government:
Form a more perfect union
Establish justice
Insure domestic tranquility
Provide for common defense
Promote general welfare
Secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity

5. The Preamble:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

6. The Articles: Articles: sections that provide organization
1st three discusses the branches of govt.
Legislative
Executive
Judicial

7. Branches of Government:

8. Legislative Branch
Law-Making Body

9. Legislative Branch: Law-making Bi-cameral Legislature
House of Representatives
Senate

10. Bi-Cameral Legislature:
Senate
“upper house”
100 members
2 serve per state
6 year terms
30 year age requirement
Must be a citizen for at least 9 years
House of Representatives
“Lower house”
435 members
Based on population
2 year terms
25 year age requirement
7 year as citizen

11. How Bill Becomes a Law: Member of either can submit a bill
Only House of Rep. can propose new taxes
Majority vote to go to other part
Approval of Congress = President
President signs = Becomes law
President veto = Congress can override with 2/3 majority

12. Powers of Congress: Decide how to spend tax money Raise an army/navy
Declare war
Pay government debts
Grant citizenship
Elastic clause

13. Executive Branch
Enforces the Laws

14. The Executive Branch: Enforces the laws
Head: President or Chief Executive
Includes departments and cabinet members

15. Requirements: Serve 4 year term Limited to 2 terms or 10 years
At least 35 years old
Native born citizen
Resident for 14 yrs.
“Oath of Office”
Removal - Impeach

16. Powers of the President:
Carries out laws
Commander and Chief of armed forces
Form treaties with other nations
Nominates ambassadors and Supreme Court
Pardon those convicted of violating federal laws

17. Judicial Branch
Interprets the Laws

18. The Judicial Branch: Interprets the laws Highest court = Supreme Court
Federal Courts
District courts
Appellate courts

19. Powers of the Supreme Court:
Size not specified by Constitution
Congress set number at 9
Usually serve for life
Judicial review: does laws, actions, and other branches conflict with the Constitution

20. Important Aspects:

21. Checks and Balances Each branch can limit the power of the other
“Checks” – allows one to block the actions of another
“Balances” – each branch has a role/action in the other

22. Checks & Balances:

23. Amendments: Changes to the Constitution
2/3 vote by Congress or all of state legislatures to propose
¾ vote required to make effective
^ 10,000 suggested and only 27 have passed
1st 10 added immediately
Bill of Rights

24. Federalism: Sharing of powers between state and national government
Delegated: National powers
Concurrent: Shared powers
Reserved: State powers

25. Federalism: Delegated Powers: Concurrent Powers: Reserved Powers:
-Coin money
-Run postal system
-interstate and international trade
-National defense
-Declare war
-Diplomacy
-Taxing
-Borrowing money
-Enforcing laws
-Provide for welfare of the citizens
-Conduct elections
-Regulate trade within the state
-Establish local government
-Regulate education

26. Major Principles Embodied in the Constitution:
Popular Sovereignty
Limited government
Unalienable rights
Separation of Powers
Judicial review
Checks & Balances
Federalism

27. THE END….