Aim: How was the United States Government designed after the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

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.

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?