1. The CONSTITUTION of the UNITED STATES
and
The FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

2. Critical Thinking What exactly is a constitution?
A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organizations acknowledged to be governed.
Why do you think that people write constitutions?
What might happen if a country did not have a constitution?
Pretend you were asked to write a state constitution after the Revolutionary War. What rights would you make sure to protect? What would you guard against?

3. Weaknesses and Strengths of the Articles of Confederation
At least 9 of the 13 States had to agree to create a law.
Congress could not regulate trade.
Congress could not raise money through taxes.
Weak central government: no President to enforce the laws and no courts.
Shays Rebellion.
All 13 states had to agree in order to make changes to the Articles of Confederation.
Each state printed its own money.
A CHANGE
WAS NEEDED
We won the Revolutionary War under the articles of Confederation.
Settled and governed western territories.

4. The Constitutional Convention
May 25, 1787
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
MISSION:
Revise The Articles of Confederation

7. THE PREAMBLE What are the six goals of the Constitution?
SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY TO OURSELVES AND OUR POSTERITY
PROVIDE FOR THE COMMON DEFENSE
PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE
INSURE DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY
FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION
ESTABLISH JUSTICE
“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.”
THE PREAMBLE
form a more perfect Union
establish justice
insure domestic tranquility
provide for the common defense
promote the general welfare
secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity

8. THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Article One
THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

9. The LEGISLATIVE BRANCH includes:
the SENATE
and
the HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES

10. Choose Utah's two Senators
Orrin Hatch
Mike Lee

11. Choose Utah's three Representatives
Rob Bishop
Jim Matheson
Jason Chaffetz

12. CHECKS and BALANCES Veto
THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
-CONGRESS-
Veto
Impeach and reject the appointment of judges
Declare laws unconstitutional
CHECKS and BALANCES
Impeach, override veto, reject appointments and treaties
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
-PRESIDENT-
Appoint judges
THE JUDICIAL BRANCH
-COURTS-
Declare presidential actions unconstitutional
Impeach president, override veto, reject appointments, refuse to approve treaties
Can impeach and reject the appointment of judges
Can declare presidential actions unconstitutional
Can declare laws unconstitutional
The President can appoint judges
The President can veto legislation