Chapter 9.1 Basic Principles of the US Constitution

• The Constitution is the foundation on which our government and society are based.

• There are 7 Articles!– Articles = sections.

U.S. Constitution, Article Iestablishes Legislative Branch

• Bicameral ( 2 houses)– Senate and House of

Representatives

• Senate– 100 members

• 2 from each state• 6 year terms in office

• House of Representatives– 435 members

• Based on population• 2 year terms in office

U.S. Constitution, Article IIestablishes Executive branch

• Led by President of the United States– Approves or vetoes laws

made by Congress– Appoints federal court judges – Negotiates treaties with

foreign nations

• Commander in Chief– Of all branches of the military

in the United States• Marines, Army, Navy, Coast

Guard, and Air Force

U.S. Constitution, Article IIIestablished Judicial Branch

• Supreme Court – Interprets the meaning of

laws

– Rules whether laws passed by Congress are constitutional or not

– Rules whether POTUS has acted accordingly

• Done when Congress tries to impeach POTUS

– Vote to bring charges against a President.

U.S. Constitution, Article IV

• Gives ‘full faith and credit’ to each States – Forces other states to recognize all

government acts done by any state• Drivers license• Marriage documents• Birth records

U.S. Constitution, Article V

• Congress can propose Amendments to the US Constitution with 2/3 votes by States.

• There are 27 amendments today added to the US Constitution!– Can you name any?

U.S. Constitution, Article VI

• All debts owned by America will be recognized and must be paid back. – We owed France a lot of money.

• Also, the US Constitution is the ‘supreme law of the land’– Even over any state Constitutions.

U.S. Constitution, Article VII

• Stipulates 9 out of 13 states must sign the Constitution in order for it to be ratified.

So, why does the Constitution work?

• It separates each branches powers!– No one holds “too

much” power• Legislative branch

makes the laws

• Executive branch carries out the laws

• Judicial branch interprets the laws

Checks and Balances

• US Constitution prevents the abuse of power by one branch of government by another.

• How? – Checks and balances

• Each government has a power over the other.

Powers of the federal government given by the Constitution

• Called delegated powers:– Powers written specifically in the Constitution

given only to the federal government• Make money• Maintain military • Establish foreign policy• Declare war on other countries

Powers Given to State Governments by the US Constitution

• Reserved Powers– Powers given directly to

state governments• Examples:

– Regulate trade within a state

– Establish local governments

– Conduct local elections

– Establish public school systems

Powers shared by federal and state governments

• Concurrent Powers– Powers that the federal and state

governments share.

– Examples:• Both federal and states can:

– Establish and enforce laws– Collect taxes– Borrow money

Review Questions• Which branch is established by Article I of

the U.S. Constitution?

• Which branch can declare war on another country?

• What are delegated powers?

• What are reserved powers?