The ConstitutionThe Constitutionest. 1789est. 1789

United States of AmericaUnited States of Americaest. 1776est. 1776

By Mr. PetersonBy Mr. Petersonest. 1981est. 1981

PreamblePreamble

We the people of the United States…We the people of the United States… It begins with “We the people” to It begins with “We the people” to

describe that we (as in citizens) run describe that we (as in citizens) run the government.the government.

Article 1Article 1The LegislatureThe Legislature

Describes how the Legislature, Describes how the Legislature, (Congress) should act(Congress) should act

Congress elected by citizens to Congress elected by citizens to represent citizens in government.represent citizens in government.

Two Houses…House of Two Houses…House of Representatives and the SenateRepresentatives and the Senate

All powers are listed in section 8 All powers are listed in section 8 (enumerated powers)(enumerated powers)

Some of the Jobs of CongressSome of the Jobs of Congress

The main role of Congress is to make The main role of Congress is to make laws and levy taxeslaws and levy taxes

Congress also declares war and Congress also declares war and maintains militarymaintains military

Congress approves the printing of Congress approves the printing of currencycurrency

Can impeach executive and judicial Can impeach executive and judicial branch membersbranch members

The SenateThe Senate

100 Senators (2 per state)100 Senators (2 per state) Elected to a 6 yr termElected to a 6 yr term Minimum age 30 yearsMinimum age 30 years Minimum citizenship of U.S. 9 Minimum citizenship of U.S. 9

yearsyears U.S. Vice President-U.S. Vice President- Leader of Leader of

Senate (rarely present)Senate (rarely present)

The House of RepresentativesThe House of Representatives

435 Members (based on population, 435 Members (based on population, but every state has at least 1)but every state has at least 1)

Elected to a 2 year termElected to a 2 year term Minimum age requirement 25 yearsMinimum age requirement 25 years Minimum citizenship of US 7 yearsMinimum citizenship of US 7 years Speaker of the House-Speaker of the House- Leader of the Leader of the

House, elected by majority party from House, elected by majority party from majority party.majority party.

Executive BranchExecutive Branch

17 total members (president, vice 17 total members (president, vice president, 15 cabinet member)president, 15 cabinet member)

4 year term...maximum of 10 years4 year term...maximum of 10 years Elected by the people through the Elected by the people through the

electoral collegeelectoral college Minimum 35 years oldMinimum 35 years old Must be a natural born citizen and a Must be a natural born citizen and a

resident for 14 yearsresident for 14 years Leader – President Leader – President

So what can/does the President So what can/does the President do?do?

Signs bills to become laws or veto billsSigns bills to become laws or veto bills May call emergency congress sessions in May call emergency congress sessions in

time of crisestime of crises Appoints federal judges (with Senate Appoints federal judges (with Senate

approval)approval) Can pardon any federal crimesCan pardon any federal crimes Can call for executive orders for up to 90 Can call for executive orders for up to 90

days to handle emergency situations. days to handle emergency situations. (doesn’t need congress approval)(doesn’t need congress approval)

What the heck is the Electoral College Each state is assigned a number of electors Each state is assigned a number of electors

based on the amount of U.S. Senators and based on the amount of U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives in their state U.S. Representatives in their state

For example: Minnesota has 10 (2 Senators For example: Minnesota has 10 (2 Senators and 8 Representatives)and 8 Representatives)

If a presidential contender receives the If a presidential contender receives the majority of the vote in the specific state, majority of the vote in the specific state, he/she wins all of the states electors.he/she wins all of the states electors.

In order to win the presidency, you must In order to win the presidency, you must receive at least half of the electors (538 receive at least half of the electors (538 possible)possible)

Why the Electoral CollegeWhy the Electoral College

The framers wanted a safety net for the The framers wanted a safety net for the presidential election.presidential election.

They believed that Americans (back then) They believed that Americans (back then) were for the most part uneducated and could were for the most part uneducated and could possibly choose a bad president without possibly choose a bad president without knowing.knowing.

They decided that the people could vote for They decided that the people could vote for the president, but the electors would the president, but the electors would ultimately choose the president.ultimately choose the president.

Despite Electoral College, the electors have Despite Electoral College, the electors have always followed what the voters have wanted. always followed what the voters have wanted.

Article 3Article 3The JudiciaryThe Judiciary

Defines the Judiciary to interpret the laws. Defines the Judiciary to interpret the laws.

Supreme Court is the highest court, takes Supreme Court is the highest court, takes on Constitutional issues only (no criminal)on Constitutional issues only (no criminal)

Underneath is a system of courts that Underneath is a system of courts that covers everything from criminal courts to covers everything from criminal courts to civil courts.civil courts.

Can declare the executive and legislature Can declare the executive and legislature to be unconstitutional. to be unconstitutional.

Judicial Branch BreakdownJudicial Branch Breakdown

9 members in the Supreme Court, 9 members in the Supreme Court, countless in lower courtscountless in lower courts

Lifetime term (unless impeached)Lifetime term (unless impeached) Appointed by the president, Appointed by the president,

confirmed by congressconfirmed by congress No age or citizenship requirementsNo age or citizenship requirements

Judicial PowersJudicial Powers

Declare laws unconstitutionalDeclare laws unconstitutional Declare acts by politicians Declare acts by politicians

unconstitutionalunconstitutional Judicial Power – the court will hear & Judicial Power – the court will hear &

judge cases concerning the Constitution, judge cases concerning the Constitution, Laws of the U.S., and treatiesLaws of the U.S., and treaties

Judge and act upon acts of treason (a Judge and act upon acts of treason (a U.S. citizen committing a war act U.S. citizen committing a war act against the U.S.)against the U.S.)

Articles 4-7Articles 4-7 Article 4 Relations among the statesArticle 4 Relations among the states

States must honor one another’s laws, records, States must honor one another’s laws, records, and rulings. and rulings.

Article 5 Amending the ConstitutionArticle 5 Amending the Constitution The Constitution may be amended, but needs to The Constitution may be amended, but needs to

have 2/3rds majority of congress to propose, and have 2/3rds majority of congress to propose, and 3/4ths of congress ratify it.3/4ths of congress ratify it.

Article 6 Supremacy of the National Govt.Article 6 Supremacy of the National Govt. The Constitution, national laws, and treaties are The Constitution, national laws, and treaties are

the supreme law of the land.the supreme law of the land. Article 7 RatificationArticle 7 Ratification

9 of the 13 states must ratify the constitution for 9 of the 13 states must ratify the constitution for it to go into effect. The Constitution was officially it to go into effect. The Constitution was officially signed in 1788signed in 1788

Bill of RightsBill of Rights(First 10 Amendments)(First 10 Amendments)

A list of rights that “people are entitled A list of rights that “people are entitled to against the government”to against the government”

Basically that means:Basically that means: Rights that are guaranteed to every citizen Rights that are guaranteed to every citizen

to protect them from the government.to protect them from the government. They are called Amendments because They are called Amendments because

they were “added” to the Constitution.they were “added” to the Constitution. Amendments 11-27 (not called Bill of Amendments 11-27 (not called Bill of

Rights) were added later throughout Rights) were added later throughout time. time.