1. Bellwork – 10/28 & 10/29
Answer is: C!

2. The US Constitution: The Preamble & Separation of Powers
Mrs. Foster & Ms. Diggs

4. Review
What led the colonists to writing the Constitution?
1775
1777
The Revolutionary War between the Colonies and Britain begins.
The Articles of Confederation are written but not yet ratified
1776
Declaration of Independence written; the 13 colonies become the 13 states, but are not yet united under one central government.

5. Review 1781 1786 What led the colonists to writing the Constitution?
The last battle of the Revolutionary War takes place; the 13 states set up a federal government under laws called the Articles of Confederation.
1786
Representatives from five states meet at Annapolis, Maryland, to discuss interstate trade. Because so few representatives attend, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison call for another convention to be held in Philadelphia.
1787 — The Constitutional Convention begins on May 25, in Philadelphia. Fifty-five representatives attend and begin drafting the Constitution. On September 17, 1787, the convention comes to a close as the representatives sign the Constitution.
1788 — The Constitution becomes the law of the land after New Hampshire becomes the ninth and last state required to approve it.

6. Review
What led the colonists to writing the Constitution?
May 25, 1787
1788
The Constitutional Convention begins on May 25, in Philadelphia. Fifty-five representatives attend and begin drafting the Constitution.
On September 17, 1787, the convention comes to a close as the representatives sign the Constitution.
Sept. 17,1787
On September 17, 1787, the convention comes to a close as the representatives sign the Constitution.

9. Structure of the Constitution
Part 1: The Preamble
The Preamble
Part 2: Articles
7 articles
Legislative Branch
Executive
Judicial
Relations between States
Amendment Process
Debts; Supremacy Clause
Ratification
Part 3: Amendments
Formal Changes to the Constitution

10. Why a Constitution?
What did the Declaration of Independence do/say?
“…All men are created equal and are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, which among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness…”
The Declaration of Independence says WHAT the Founding Fathers wanted. The Constitution says HOW they were going to set up a government that does/protects all of those things.

11. Fun Facts About the Constitution
Just over 7,000 words!
That might sound like a lot but that makes it shorter than the sports section in most newspapers!
Written over 200 Years ago!
Making it the oldest written constitution still in use anywhere in the world!

13. What’s the Preamble?
The Preamble is a single, long sentence that define the broad purposes of the republican government created by the Constitution
It states in general terms and the Founding Fathers’ intentions regarding the Constitution's meaning and what they hoped the Constitution would achieve.

15. The Preamble of the US Constitution
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.

16. The Preamble Break Down…
“We the People”
Wording that shows that the power and authority in our system of gov’t comes from the people NOT the states. (The opposite of the Articles of Confederation when the states had all the power)

17. The Preamble Break Down…
The Goals:
1. “Form a more perfect union…”
Meaning: The framers of the Constitution wanted to ensure cooperation among the states AND between the national government. The two need to share power, making us a federal system of government.

18. The Preamble Break Down…
The Goals:
2. “Establish Justice”
Meaning: The framers hoped to create a system of government based on fair laws that apply equally to all people.

19. The Preamble Break Down…
The Goals:
3. “Ensure domestic tranquility…”
Meaning: the framers wanted government to ensure peace and order

20. The Preamble Break Down…
The Goals:
4. “Provide for the common defense…”
Meaning: The framers wanted the government to protect the nation against foreign enemies.

21. The Preamble Break Down…
The Goals:
5. “Promote the general welfare…”
Meaning: The framers hoped the gov’t would ensure the well-being of the citizens

22. The Preamble Break Down…
The Goals:
6. “Secure the Well Being of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.”
Meaning: The framers hoped to guarantee freedom for Americans, then and in the future too!

23. The Preamble Break Down…
Finally…
“…do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Meaning: That’s why we’re writing all this stuff down so read it and pay attention, world!

24. So lets read that again…
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.
So lets read that again…

25. What do you think?
Why is the preamble so important to the framer’s of the Constitution AND to us as citizens of the United States of America?
Take 5 minutes to write the question and answer this question in your spiral

26. Structure of the Constitution
Part 1: The Preamble
The Preamble
Part 2: Articles
7 articles
Legislative Branch
Executive
Judicial
Relations between States
Amendment Process
Debts; Supremacy Clause
Ratification
Part 3: Amendments
Formal Changes to the Constitution

27. Guiding Question
How does the Constitution limit the power of government through separation of powers and checks and balances?

28. Terms
Checks and balances: a system allowing a branch of a government to amend or veto acts of another branch to prevent any branch from becoming too powerful.
Separation of powers: separating the duties of government bodies (i.e., executive, legislative, & judicial.)

29. The main body of the Constitution consists of SEVEN articles
Part Two: The Articles
The main body of the Constitution consists of SEVEN articles
Article 1: Legislative Branch
Article 2: Executive Branch
Article 3: Judicial Branch
Article 4: Relations between States
Article 5: Amendment Process
Article 6: Debts; Supremacy Clause
Article 7: Ratification

30. State vs. Federal Gov’ts
The Constitution limits the powers of the government by giving them individual responsibilities.
The responsibilities are either:
Or Both!
State
Federal

31. Gov’ts Share Responsibilities!
Federalism
Because we have a federal system of government, our federal (national) gov’t and state gov’t share responsibilities
State
Federal
Gov’ts Share Responsibilities!

32. State vs. Federal Gov’ts
The Constitution limits the powers of the government by giving them individual responsibilities.
The responsibilities are either:
Reserved
Concurrent
Delegated

33. Limiting Powers
The Constitution limits the powers of the government by giving them individual responsibilities.
Concurrent
Federal Gov’t
State Gov’t
Issues Licenses (Driver’s, Marriage, etc.)
Conduct Elections
Take measures for public health & Safety
Makes Treaties
Declares War
Print Money
Collect taxes
Build roads
Establish courts

34. Articles I, II, & III of the Constitution.

35. Review Terms:
Checks and balances: a system allowing a branch of a government to amend or veto acts of another branch to prevent any branch from becoming too powerful.
Separation of powers: separating the duties of government bodies (i.e., executive, legislative, & judicial.)
Delegated Powers: powers granted to the national (federal) gov’t, instead of the state gov’t, under the Constitution
Reserved Powers: powers kept by the states
Concurrent Powers: powers shared by both the federal state gov’ts under the Constitution

36. The Articles Makes Laws Branch; Legislative Article 1: Enforces Laws
Executive
Article 2:
Interprets Law
Judicial
Article 3:

37. The Articles Congress Branch; Legislative President and Cabinet
Executive
The Supreme Court
Judicial

38. Executive Branch:
Enforces the laws.
The President can pass a law, but the Supreme Court can decide if that law violates the Constitution or our rights, and have it repealed.
Congress writes a law, and the President will get to pass it or stop it (veto) from becoming a law.
Judicial Branch:
Interprets the laws.
Decides whether a law violates your
Constitutional rights.
Legislative Branch:
Makes the laws.

39. Guiding Question
What is the structure and function of the three branches of government according to Articles I, II, and III?

40. Article I
Article I of the Constitution lays out the foundations of Congress.
It divides Congress among the House of Representatives and the Senate.
It also stipulates qualifications for Representatives and Senators, as well as, stipulates their duties and responsibilities.

41. House of Representatives
Composition & Election of House of Representatives
Voted for by the people every other year.
Qualification of Members
Must be at least 25 years old
Live in the state they represent
U.S. citizen for at least 7 years
Apportionment of Representatives
Based on population
435 seats total in the House
One representative per 700,000 people in a state

42. House of Representatives
House Only:
Power of impeachment.
Bills start here involving taxes.
Shared with the Senate:
Have the power to change laws in order to protect voters.
Determine naturalization laws.
Coin money.
Create the postal service.
Declare war.

43. The Senate Composition Qualifications President of the Senate
Two senators per state
Elected every six years
Qualifications
At least 30 years old
Must reside in the state he/she represents
U.S. citizen for nine years
President of the Senate
The VP of the USA is the President of the senate, but has no vote unless there is a tie.

44. The Senate Senate Only: Shared with the House: Impeachment Trial
Deciding whether or not to remove from office.
Shared with the House:
Have the power to change laws in order to protect voters.
Determine naturalization laws.
Coin money.
Create the postal service.
Declare war.

45. Article II
Discusses the powers, qualifications, and responsibilities of the Executive Branch.

46. Executive Branch Voting Qualifications Powers & Functions
Voted for every four years and can only serve two terms.
Qualifications
Natural born citizen
35 years of age or older
Lives in the U.S. for at least 14 years
Powers & Functions
Power to appoint people to positions.
Grant pardons.
Make treaties.

47. Article III
Discusses the qualifications, powers, and functions of the Judicial Branch.
The Judicial Branch is made up of the Supreme Court.

48. The Supreme Court Qualifications Appointment Powers & Functions
Good Behavior
Appointment
By the President
Powers & Functions
Decide arguments over how to interpret the Constitution, all laws passed by Congress, arguments involving states, and in agreements with other nations.