Download The US Constitution - History with Ditondo

THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
September 17, 1787 – adopted
March 4, 1789 – went into effect
December 15, 1791 – Bill of Rights
April 30, 1789 - George Washington takes office
The Law of the Land
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A constitution is a document that gives the rules for
how a government should run.
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The Framers wrote our Constitution to create a
government for the new United States of America
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Creating a new government is no easy job!
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There were many questions to consider:
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What makes us different from other nations?
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How can we prevent someone like a king taking
over?
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How do we protect the rights of the people?
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Can we make a document that is useful to
future generations?
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How do we keep one branch of government
from becoming too powerful?
What Does Our Constitution
Look Like?
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The US Constitution is one of the shortest
constitutions in the world!
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It has a little over 4,500 words and covers only 4
sheets of paper.
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It is also the oldest written constitution in use
today.
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Our Constitution is based on 7 principles.
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Our Constitution is dived into 9 parts.
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Note: see graphic organizer
7 PRINCIPLES
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The people rule – POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY
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People exercise their power by voting for representatives – REPUBLICANISM
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Sharing of power between the federal and state governments – FEDERALISM
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Division of government roles into branches – SEPARATION OF POWERS
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Each branch can exercise checks or controls on the other branches – CHECKS & BALANCES
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Nobody id above the law – LIMITED GOVERNMENT
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Guarantees of personal liberties and privileges – INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS
Legislative Branch (Congress)
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First and longest part of the Constitution.
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Why?
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Framers knew that this was an important part in a
government that represents the people.
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Members of Congress are responsible for turning
the wants and needs of the people into laws.
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Representative Democracy
• Citizens elect people to represent their
needs and concerns in Congress.
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Broken into 2 houses:
• The Senate
• The House of Representatives
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Congressional Power
US Constitution gives Congress a list of specific
powers:
• Collect taxes
• Borrow money and pay debts
• Declare war
• Regulate trade
• Coin money
• Give patents
• Make rules on how to become a citizen
• Override Presidents veto with 2/3 majority
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Describes the job of the executive branch.
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The President heads the branch, which includes
vice president
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The cabinet
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And many civilian and military employees
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Says how he or she is selected
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Electoral College
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And what happens if the President misbehaves
Executive Branch (President)
Presidential Powers
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US Constitution gives the President a list of
specific powers:
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Commander and Chief of armed forces
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Maintain cabinet of advisors
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Grant pardons and reprieves in federal offences.
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Negotiate treaties
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Appoint ambassadors, Supreme Court justices
and federal court judges
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Make State of the Union Address to Congress
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Represent the US when dealing with foreign
nations
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Veto
Judicial Branch (Supreme
Court and Federal Courts)
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Last of the 3 branches
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Shortest and includes the fewest details
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Supreme Court is established
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High court in the land
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Originally 5 justices but now has 9.
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John Jay – 1st Chief Justice
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James Iredell – Federalist from NC served on
1st court.
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Other Notables – John Marshall, Thurgood
Marshall, Earl Warren, Sandra Day O’Connor
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Court has the power to rule in cases involving the
Constitution, national laws, treaties, and state
conflicts.
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Guarantees trial by jury in criminal court
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Explains what crime of treason is.