Chapter 9.1 Basic Principles of the US Constitution The Constitution is the foundation on which our...
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Transcript of Chapter 9.1 Basic Principles of the US Constitution The Constitution is the foundation on which our...
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?