Download The US Constitution - Hart County Schools

The U.S. Constitution
Mrs.Barbour
8th Grade
US History
A “Living” Document
Provides a strong
central govt.
Flexible
Keeps basic
features and
changes with the
times
The Preamble:
The Introduction
Explains the
reasons for the new
govt.
“We the People” –
popular sovereignty
Lists the goals of
the govt.
Goals of the Government:
Form a more perfect union
Establish justice
Insure domestic tranquility
Provide for common defense
Promote general welfare
Secure the blessings of liberty for
ourselves and our posterity
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.
The Articles:
Articles: sections
that provide
organization
1st three discusses
the branches of
govt.



Legislative
Executive
Judicial
Branches of Government:
Legislative Branch
Law-Making Body
Legislative Branch:
Law-making
Bi-cameral
Legislature


House of
Representatives
Senate
Bi-Cameral Legislature:
Senate






“upper house”
100 members
2 serve per state
6 year terms
30 year age
requirement
Must be a citizen for
at least 9 years
House of
Representatives






“Lower house”
435 members
Based on population
2 year terms
25 year age
requirement
7 year as citizen
How Bill Becomes a Law:
Member of either can submit a bill
Only House of Rep. can propose new
taxes
Majority vote to go to other part
Approval of Congress = President
President signs = Becomes law
President veto = Congress can override
with 2/3 majority
Powers of Congress:
Decide how to
spend tax money
Raise an
army/navy
Declare war
Pay government
debts
Grant citizenship
Elastic clause
Executive Branch
Enforces the Laws
The Executive Branch:
Enforces the laws
Head: President or
Chief Executive
Includes
departments and
cabinet members
Requirements:
Serve 4 year term
Limited to 2 terms or
10 years
At least 35 years old
Native born citizen
Resident for 14 yrs.
“Oath of Office”
Removal - Impeach
Powers of the President:
Carries out laws
Commander and Chief of armed forces
Form treaties with other nations
Nominates ambassadors and Supreme
Court
Pardon those convicted of violating
federal laws
Judicial Branch
Interprets the Laws
The Judicial Branch:
Interprets the laws
Highest court =
Supreme Court
Federal Courts


District courts
Appellate courts
Powers of the Supreme Court:
Size not specified by Constitution
Congress set number at 9
Usually serve for life
Judicial review: does laws, actions, and
other branches conflict with the
Constitution
Important Aspects:
Checks and Balances
Each branch can
limit the power of
the other
“Checks” – allows
one to block the
actions of another
“Balances” – each
branch has a
role/action in the
other
Checks & Balances:
Amendments:
Changes to the
Constitution
2/3 vote by Congress or
all of state legislatures
to propose
¾ vote required to
make effective
^ 10,000 suggested and
only 27 have passed
1st 10 added
immediately

Bill of Rights
Federalism:
Sharing of powers between state and
national government
Delegated: National powers
Concurrent: Shared powers
Reserved: State powers
Federalism:
Delegated
Powers:
-Coin money
-Run postal system
-interstate and
international trade
-National defense
-Declare war
-Diplomacy
Concurrent
Powers:
-Taxing
-Borrowing money
-Enforcing laws
-Provide for welfare
of the citizens
Reserved
Powers:
-Conduct elections
-Regulate trade
within the state
-Establish local
government
-Regulate education
Major Principles Embodied in
the Constitution:
Popular Sovereignty
Limited government
Unalienable rights
Separation of Powers
Judicial review
Checks & Balances
Federalism
THE END….