The Constitution Day 1

1
The ConstitutionDay 1

• 341

2
Declaration of Independence

• Who was it written to? And Why?
• King George of England
• The need to separate from England due to all the
  crimes that were committed against the colonists
  by King George and the English
• John Locke
• argued a government could only be legitimate if
  it received the consent of the governed through a
  social contract and protected the natural rights
  of life, liberty and estate. Influenced Jefferson

3
The Living Constitution

• Structure
• 3 parts
• Preamble
• Intro and purpose of the constitution
• Seven Articles
• Explains the set up of the governments branches,
  state powers and federal powers
• Amendments
• Add on laws
• 1st Ten are the Bill of Rights

4
What does this mean?

• governments get their just powers from the
  consent of the governed

5
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause ( Elastic
Clause)?

• The constitution is elastic because Congress can
  stretch the meanings of the words. Sometimes,
  Congress will have to stretch the meaning to make
  laws that are needed.

6
Electoral College?

• The Electoral College is a group of people who
  gather to cast their votes for the various
  presidential candidates (much like the delegates
  at the political party conventions). When we as
  Americans are casting our votes for the
  presidential candidates, we are actually casting
  our votes for electors, who will cast their votes
  for the candidates.

7
Legislative Branch

• Called Congress
• 2 Houses
• The House of Representatives
• 435 members called representatives
• 2 year term
• Leader is Speaker of the House
• Senate
• 100 members
• Six year term
• Leader is the Vice President
• Writes laws, can impeach the President

8
Executive Branch

• Headed by the President
• Elected by the people
• 4 year term can be re-elected once
• Enforces the laws
• Chooses Cabinet member
• Commander in Chief
• Can veto laws

9
Judicial Branch

• Headed by the Supreme Court
• Nine judges
• Chosen by the President approved by the Senate
• Life term
• Decides
• if laws are constitutional
• State and federal powers
• Settles cases involving the federal government

10
Checks and Balances

• President can veto a bill proposed by Congress
• Congress can override a veto with 2/3 vote of
  both houses
• President appoints Supreme Court judges
• Supreme Court can rule presidential actions
  unconstitutional
• Congress determines number of judges on Supreme
  Court
• Supreme Court can rule laws passed by Congress
  unconstitutional

11
Checks and Balances
Senate approves Treaties and Presidential
appointments
Appoints Justices
Can Veto Bills
Calls Special sessions of Congress
Can Override Veto by 2/3 Majority
Can Impeach and Try President
Can Declare Laws Unconstitutional
Senate Approves appointments to Judicial Branch
12
Delegated, Reserved, and Concurrent Powers
13
Misc.

• Due Process
• An individual's right to be adequately notified
  of charges or proceedings involving him, and the
  opportunity to be heard at these proceedings.
• The American Flag
• 13 stripes( original colonies) and 50 stars
  (current of states)