The United States Constitution

1. The United States Constitution

2. The Basic Principles • The Constitutional Convention • 1787 – in Philadelphia • They decided the new government would be based on the ideas of limited government and representative government • Limited government = there are checks on the government so it cannot become too powerful • Representative government = the people have a role in the government • The government would be divided into three branches. • Executive, judicial and legislative

3. The Great Compromise • Representation • Senate: (upper house) would be made up of two delegates (2 from each state) • House of Representatives: (lower house) would be based on population • Executive Branch (President) • Single executive chosen by the Electoral College – electors selected by individual states

4. The Great Compromise • Legislative Branch (Congress) • Senate – originally selected by state legislatures, the 17th Amendment changed it to election by the people • House of Representatives – elected by the people • Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) • National judiciary = Supreme Court and lower courts • Supreme Court justices appointed by the president and confirmed by Senate

5. The Basic Principles • The Constitution has three parts: • Preamble • Articles 1-7 • Amendments • First 10 amendments are called “The Bill of Rights”

6. Preamble We the People, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure (ensure) domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense promote the general welfare and secure the blessings to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America • Outlines the six goals of government: • Establish justice • Ensure domestic tranquility • Provide for the common defense • Promote the general welfare • Secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves • Secure the blessing of liberty to our posterity

7. Preamble • Establish justice: Outline measures for people to air complaints and bring justice to those who deserve it • Ensure domestic tranquility: Keep the peace • Provide for the common defense: Raise an army for protection • Promote the general welfare: Allow everyone to benefit for our government • Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves: Protect our country’s values for ourselves • Secure the blessings of liberty to our posterity: Protect our country for future generations

8. The Articles: • Article I • Describes the legislative branch (Congress) • Outlines duties, powers and qualifications • Article II • Describes the executive branch (President) • Outlines duties, powers and qualifications for the President and Vice President • Describes the process for electing the president and vice president • Article III • Creates the Supreme Court • Makes the Supreme Court head of the judicial branch

9. The Articles: • Article IV • Explains the relationship between the states and the national government • Article V • Describes the process for amending, or changing, the Constitution • Article VI • Declares the Constitution, acts of Congress and treaties the “supreme law of the land” • Also known as the supremacy clause • Article VII • Sets out the process for ratifying, or formally approving, the Constitution

10. Six Principles of Government • Popular sovereignty – the power of the U.S. government comes from the people • The government can only govern as long as it has the consent of the people • “government of the people, by the people, for the people” Abraham Lincoln • Federalism – describes the relationship between the states and the national government • The state and the federal governments have different duties and responsibilities

11. Six Principals of Government • Separation of Powers – division of duties and responsibilities for each branch of government • Checks and Balances – Each branch has duties that “check” the power of the other two branches • Example: President nominates federal judges • Example: Senate approves or rejects the presidential candidates

12. Six Principals of Government • Judicial Review – gives power to the courts • The courts can rule on the constitutionality of a law or action of a local, state or the national government • Constitutionality = whether or not the law or action violates the U.S. Constitution. • Limited Government – limits or restricts the power of government to do certain things and not others. • The Bill of Rights lists freedoms that people have that the government may not take away.