1. Aim: How was the United States Government designed after the Constitutional Convention of 1787?
Do Now: What can you tell about the US Government from the photo above?

2. Objectives Talk about the branches of government
Understand key principles of the Const.

3. Federalism

4. Separation of Powers Under the Constitution

5. Each Branch of Government has its own Powers
Executive Branch: Enforces Laws, Veto Power
Legislative Branch: Two houses: The Senate (Upper House) and House of Representatives (Lower House). Creates Laws, Impeachment power.
Judicial Branch: Interprets Laws, Judicial Review

6. The U.S. Const., The Legislative Branch
The Legislative Branch makes laws and has the Impeachment power. (Can impeach pres.)
The House of Reps.
Most Democratic part of American Government
Each State’s # representatives dependent on state population.
Reps serve 4 years terms, must be a min. of 25 years old
The Senate
Each state has 2 senators, regardless of state size.
Senators serve 6 year terms, 1/3 are rotated out every 2 years. Must be 30 years of age to be a Senator.

7. The U.S. Const.; The Judicial Branch
The Judicial Branch interprets laws and has the power of Judicial Review.
There are 9 Supreme Court Justices who serve for life.
Their terms are life terms in order to allow them to better serve justice.

8. The U.S. Const.; The Executive Branch
The Executive Branch enforces the laws and consists of the President; the President has Veto Power.
Must be 35 years of age to be the President and born in the United States.
The Presidential office is one with many responsibilities. Sometimes referred to as many “hats.”

9. The U.S. Const.; Elastic Clause
The elastic clause allows the Constitution to stretch, or grow, over time.
This process of “stretching” is known as the amendment process.
The amendment process allows the Constitution to meet the needs of a future that remained unseen to the Founding Fathers.
This is the reason the US Constitution is referred to as a “living” document.

10. The U.S. Const.; Amendments
The first 10 Amendments are known as the Bill of Rights.
The Bill of Rights was designed to protect the rights of individuals from oppressive government.

11. The U.S. Const.; Amendments
1st Amendment: Speech, Press, Religion 2nd “: Right to bear arms 3rd “: No Quartering of troops in your home 4th “: No illegal search and seizure 5th “: Innocent until proven guilty 6th “: Right to a speedy trial 7th “: Right to a trial by an impartial jury 8th “: No excessive bail/ No cruel or unusual punishment 9th “: Guaranteed rights provided under the Constitution. 10th “: Powers not listed in the Constitution belong to the People.

12. System of Checks and Balances
The Executive Branch
(President enforces laws)
Checks on the Legislative
-Can Propose Laws
-Can veto laws
-Can call special sessions of congress
-Makes appointments
-Negotiates foreign treaties
Checks on Judicial
-Appoints Justices
-Can pardon federal offenders -
Legislative Branch
(Congress makes laws)
Checks on Executive
-Can override Veto
-Confirms Executive Appointments
-Ratifies Treaties
-Can Declare War
-Can Impeach the President
-Creates lower Fed. Courts
-Can Impeach Justices
-Can propose amendments to overrule Judicial decisions
-Approves appointments of Federal Judges
Judicial Branch
(Supreme Court interprets laws)
-Can declare executive actions unconstitutional
Checks on Legislative
-Can declare acts of congress unconstitutional

13. Key Questions What is federalism?
How are powers divided under the US Constitution?
What is each branch of government’s respective power?
What is the system of checks and balances? Provide and example.
Why is this system of checks and balances important?