The US Constitution

Constitution (cont.)

Parts of the Constitutions Preamble – Introduction Article I – Legislative Branch Article II – Executive Branch Article III – Judicial Branch Article IV – Relations among States Article V – Amending the Constitution Article VI – National Debt, Supremacy of

National Law, and Oaths of Office Article VII – Ratifying the Constitution

Preamble

To form a more perfect union… Stronger national government Promote loyalty Unite people Make the US one country

Preamble

To establish justice… Peaceful way to settle disputes Fair, orderly system of justice Consistent court system

Preamble

To ensure domestic tranquility… Protecting citizens from crime Maintaining law and order

Preamble

To provide for the common defense… Defending against foreign enemies Providing and using the military to protect citizens

Preamble

To promote the general welfare… Providing needed services such as health care,

education Dealing with natural disasters Helping citizens during times of need such as the

elderly or disabled

Preamble

To secure the blessing of liberty… Protect individual rights Equal rights to all citizens Equal protection and treatment

Basics of the Constitution(Separation of Powers)

Constitution

Legislative Branch

Executive Branch

Judicial Branch

Executive BranchExecutive

Branch

Cabinet(15 departments)

President And

Vice - President

Executive Branch

Powers of the Executive Branch Directs Foreign Policy Commander – in – Chief of the Military Representative of all Americans Carry out and enforce the nations laws Power of veto Cabinet appointments Federal justice appointments

Legislative Branch

LegislativeBranch

Senate(100 members)

*two members from Each state

House of Representatives(435 members)

*membership from each State is based on

Population

Legislative Branch

Powers of the Legislative Branch Make and pass laws Control government spending Watchdog of the executive branch Ability to impeach any federal official Propose amendments Override vetoes Ratifies treaties Declare war

Judicial Branch

JudicialBranch

Supreme Court(9 justices)

Appellate Courts

Military Courts

US court of Appeals For the Federal

circuits

Judicial Branch

Powers of the Judicial Branch Supreme Court

Highest Court Power of Judicial Review (it can review laws and decide

whether the laws are constitutional) Hear appeals

Judicial Branch

Powers of the Judicial Branch Federal Courts

Courts that hear cases that come under federal law Appeal Courts

Consider district courts decision in which the losing side has asked for a review of the verdict

Federalism

Federalism – A system of government in which a written constitution divides power between a central, or national, government and several regional governments

Federalism

Examples of the National Government’s Powers

Establish a postal systemSet weights and measuresRegulate interstate and foreign tradeRaise and support armed forcesDeclare warMake peaceCoin and print moneyGrant patents and copyrightsEstablish federal courtsGovern territories and admit new statesRegulate immigration

Examples of the Powers Reserved to the States

Regulate trade within the stateWrite business and corporation lawsEstablish and maintain public schoolsEstablish local governmentsPass marriage and divorce lawsConduct electionsRatify constitutional amendmentsPass license requirements for professionalsRegulate alcoholic beverages

Concurrent Powers (Powers of both the federal & state governments)

Levy and collect taxesBorrow moneyMake and enforce lawsEstablish and maintain courtsCharter banksProvide for public welfareDefine crimes and set punishmentsClaim private property for public use