The Constitution of the United States
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev 6uKDfe7mw&feature=fvst
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An Outline of the Constitution The Constitution sets out the
basic principles upon which government in the United States was
built. The Constitution is a fairly brief document. The
Constitution is organized into eight sections: the Preamble and
seven articles. The original document is followed by 27 amendments.
The Constitution sets out the basic principles upon which
government in the United States was built. The Constitution is a
fairly brief document. The Constitution is organized into eight
sections: the Preamble and seven articles. The original document is
followed by 27 amendments.
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Articles of the Constitution
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Basic Principles The principle of popular sovereignty The
principle of limited government The principle of separation of
powers The principle of popular sovereignty The principle of
limited government The principle of separation of powers
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Popular Sovereignty Asserts that the people are the source of
any and all government power Government can exist only with the
consent of the governed. The people hold the ultimate authority
Asserts that the people are the source of any and all government
power Government can exist only with the consent of the governed.
The people hold the ultimate authority
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Republicanism People elect their representatives A
representative democracy lets the people elect leaders to make
decisions for them. People elect their representatives A
representative democracy lets the people elect leaders to make
decisions for them.
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Federalism Power of government is divided between the national
government (federal) and the state government. There is constant
debate over who should have more power the states or Washington.
When federal law and state law do not agree, federal law has to be
followed. Power of government is divided between the national
government (federal) and the state government. There is constant
debate over who should have more power the states or Washington.
When federal law and state law do not agree, federal law has to be
followed.
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Limited Government Framers wanted to guard against tyranny each
individual has rights that government cannot take away Government
is limited to the power given them in the Constitution. The
Constitution tells how leaders who overstep their power can be
removed Framers wanted to guard against tyranny each individual has
rights that government cannot take away Government is limited to
the power given them in the Constitution. The Constitution tells
how leaders who overstep their power can be removed
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Separation of Powers is the principle in which the executive,
legislative, and judicial branches of government are three
independent and coequal branches of government. No one branch holds
too much power Legislative branch - makes the laws Executive branch
- carries out the laws Judicial branch - interprets the laws is the
principle in which the executive, legislative, and judicial
branches of government are three independent and coequal branches
of government. No one branch holds too much power Legislative
branch - makes the laws Executive branch - carries out the laws
Judicial branch - interprets the laws
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Checks and Balances Each branch of government holds some
control over the other two branches. There are ways for each branch
of government to check on the other branches to make sure each
branch does not take power they do not have. Each branch of
government holds some control over the other two branches. There
are ways for each branch of government to check on the other
branches to make sure each branch does not take power they do not
have.
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Individual Rights Basic rights (unalienable rights) are
guaranteed by our Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments to the
Constitution). We have many rights like freedom of religion, the
right to bear arms, and the right to a fair trial. Basic rights
(unalienable rights) are guaranteed by our Bill of Rights (first 10
amendments to the Constitution). We have many rights like freedom
of religion, the right to bear arms, and the right to a fair
trial.
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Legislative Branch Made up of Senate and House of
Representatives Make our laws Appropriate Money Regulate
Immigration Establish Post Offices and Roads Regulate Interstate
Commerce and Transportation Declare War Made up of Senate and House
of Representatives Make our laws Appropriate Money Regulate
Immigration Establish Post Offices and Roads Regulate Interstate
Commerce and Transportation Declare War
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Executive Branch The President of the United States Chief
Executive Chief of State Chief Legislator Commander in Chief of all
the military (army, navy, air force, Marines). The President of the
United States Chief Executive Chief of State Chief Legislator
Commander in Chief of all the military (army, navy, air force,
Marines).
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Judicial Branch Supreme Court and other Federal Courts Preserve
and protect the rights guaranteed by the Constitution Considers
cases involving national laws Declares laws and acts
unconstitutional Supreme Court and other Federal Courts Preserve
and protect the rights guaranteed by the Constitution Considers
cases involving national laws Declares laws and acts
unconstitutional
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Checks and Balances the system that allows the legislative,
executive, and judicial branches to (stop and check) check, or
restrain, the actions of one another.
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Executive Checks Propose laws to Congress Veto laws made by
Congress Negotiate foreign treaties Appoint federal judges Grant
pardons to federal offenders Propose laws to Congress Veto laws
made by Congress Negotiate foreign treaties Appoint federal judges
Grant pardons to federal offenders
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Legislative Checks Override presidents veto Ratify treaties
Confirm executive appointments Impeach federal officers and judges
Create and dissolve lower federal courts Override presidents veto
Ratify treaties Confirm executive appointments Impeach federal
officers and judges Create and dissolve lower federal courts
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Judicial Checks Declare executive acts unconstitutional Declare
laws unconstitutional Declare acts of Congress unconstitutional The
Supreme Court holds the final check Declare executive acts
unconstitutional Declare laws unconstitutional Declare acts of
Congress unconstitutional The Supreme Court holds the final
check