Post on 01-Apr-2015
The US Constitution Chapter 8
Goals of the Preamble
To form a more perfect Union
Framers wanted a unified nation
E Pluribus UnumTo establish justice Unified legal system applied fairly to all
Goals of the PreambleTo insure domestic tranquilityPeace and order at homeNational Guard’s help after a
disasterTo provide for the common defense
Power to raise armies and navies
Military under civilian control
Goals of the PreambleTo promote the general welfare
Well-being of all citizensTo secure the blessings of liberty
Many have fought and died for liberty
Amendments have extended liberty
Goals of the PreambleTo form a more perfect UnionTo establish justice To insure domestic tranquilityTo provide for the common defense
To promote the general welfare
To secure the blessings of liberty
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.
Preamble to the US Constitution
Articles (Body) of the Constitution
Articles I-III-Branches of government
Article IV-Relations among the states
Article V-Amending the Constitution
Article VI-National Supremacy
Article VII-Ratification
Amendments
The first 10 were added in 1791
Since 1791, 17 more have been added
Bill of Rights 10+17=27 total amendments
7 Principles of the Constitution
@Popular Sovereignty-government gets its power from the people
@Limited Government- government has only the powers that the Constitution gives it
@Separation of Powers- government is divided into three branches to limit government’s power
7 Principles continued
@Checks and Balances-each branch can check, or limit, the other branches’ actions
@Federalism-division of power between the federal government and the states
7 Principles continued
@Republicanism-citizens elect representatives to take care of the government’s business
@Individual Rights-citizens’ rights are protected
under the Constitution (Bill of Rights)
Requirements30 years old or olderCitizen of the US for at least 9 years
Resident of state in which elected
6 year terms 100 Senators total
Legislative Branch-Senator
Requirements25 years old or olderCitizen of the US for at least 7 years
Resident of the state in which elected
2 year terms 435 Representatives
Legislative Branch-Representative
Requirements35 years old or olderNatural-born citizenResident of the US for 14 years
4 year terms 1 team
Executive Branch-Pres. And VP
RequirementsNo Constitutional requirements
Lifetime appointment
9 total Supreme Court Justices
Judicial Branch-Supreme Court
MOST IMPORTANT IS TO make the nations laws
Collect taxes Borrow money Coin money Declare war Elastic Clause-Congress can make all laws that are necessary and proper
Legislative Branch-Powers
Can override President’s vetoConfirms executive appointments
Ratifies treatiesCan declare warAppropriates moneyCan impeach and remove the President
Legislative Branch-Checks on Ex. Branch
Creates lower courtsCan impeach and remove judges
Can propose amendments to overrule judicial decisions
Approves appointments of federal judges
Legislative Branch-Checks on Jud. Branch
Carries out the nations lawsDirects foreign policyIs Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces
Can make treaties and appoint ambassadors
Can grant pardons and call special sessions of Congress
Executive Branch-Powers
Can propose lawsCan veto lawsCan call special sessions of Congress
Makes appointmentsNegotiates foreign treaties
Executive Branch-Checks on Leg. Branch
Appoints federal judges
Can grant pardons to federal
offenders
Executive Branch-Checks on Jud. Branch
Greatest power is to decide what the Constitution means
Judicial Branch-Powers
Can declare executive actions unconstitutional
Judicial Branch-Checks on Ex. Branch
Can declare acts of Congress unconstitutional
Judicial Branch-Checks on Leg. Branch
Bill of RightsFirst Amendment- protects basic
individual liberties such as religion, speech, press, assembly and petition
Second Amendment-right to bear arms
Third Amendment-citizens cannot be forced to house troops
Fourth Amendment-guards against unlawful searches and seizures
Bill of RightsFifth Amendment-citizens cannot be forced to incriminate themselves
Sixth Amendment-right to speedy trial by jury
Seventh Amendment-right to jury trial in civil cases
Eighth Amendment-bans excessive bail and punishment
Bill of RightsNinth Amendment-citizens’ rights are not limited to the ones listed in the Bill of Rights
Tenth Amendment-all powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the people (states)
Later AmendmentsAfter the Bill of Rights, only 17 more
amendments have been added to the Constitution
Civil War Amendments-expanded rights for African Americans
Nineteenth Amendment- guaranteed women the right to vote
Twenty-sixth Amendment-lowered the voting age from 21 to 18
State and Local Governments
State Governments
Provided by Both
Local Governments
1. Provide public
health and welfare
programs
2. Manages state
parks and recreation
areas
3. Builds and
maintains highways,
bridges, and tunnels
4. Issues license for
professionals and
drivers
5. Provide for education
6. Police maintain public safety
7. Hires or supports
firefighters and
garbage collectors
8. Maintains local
roads and hospitals
9. Inspects
buildings
10. Provides parks
and libraries
US CitizenshipRequirements for US citizenship
Born in the US or at least one parent is US citizen OR
Naturalized-legal process for becoming a US citizen OR
18 or younger when your parents were naturalized
Steps of the Naturalization Process
ImmigrantResident alienFive year waiting periodApply for citizenshipComplete an examShow “good moral character”InterviewTake an Oath of Allegiance
Rights and Responsibilities
Equal rights under the law
Not based on wealth or family
With these rights comes responsibilities
Freedom is not free
Virtue and ValuesPatriotism-feeling of love
and devotion to the USRespect-for ourselves, others, property, and laws
Responsibilities and consequences
Courage-physical or moral courage
Responsibilities Voting-know the candidates and issues
Obey the Laws-know and follow the law
Defend the Nation-register for draft or volunteer to serve
Serve on Juries-take time to decide others fate
Serve the Community-volunteer, donate blood, give money and supplies
Be Informed-read the news and pay attention in class