IV- The United States Constitution

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IV- The United States Constitution
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• A) 1787- 55 State Representatives gathered at
  Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
• 1) They intended to fix the problems with the
  Articles of Confederation.

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• 2) The delegates soon decided to trash the
  Articles and start fresh with a new and improved
  governing document.
• 3) They work on it for three months and complete
  the US Constitution.

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B) The Constitution is the SUPREME Law of America

• 1) No person or institution (Ex-the President or
  FBI) can bypass or ignore the Constitution.

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• C) The Constitution is made up of three parts
• 1) The Preamble
• 2) 7 Articles (sections) that provide the details
  about how America is operated
• 3) The Amendments

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The Preamble

• We the people of the United States,
• In order to form a more perfect union,
• Establish justice,
• Insure domestic tranquility,
• Provide for the common defense,
• Promote the general welfare,
• And secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves
  and posterity,
• Do ordain and establish this Constitution of the
  United States of America

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• 4) The Constitution establishes America as a
  Republic.
• a) Republic - a government where the citizens
  elect representatives to run the nation for them.

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• D) Division of Power- In order to prevent the
  abuse of power, the Constitution divides the
  power of government into three parts or branches.
• 1) Each branch has a different role and duty in
  running the country

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E) The Legislative Branch

• 1) This branch is represented by the House of
  Representatives and the Senate.
• 2) Together they are called CONGRESS.
• 3) They write our laws, collect taxes, and decide
  where the money is spent.

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F) Executive Branch

• 1) THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH- The office of the
  President and his advisors.
• 2) The President is the Chief Executive Officer
  of the Nation
• 3) The President is responsible for enforcing the
  law.
• 3) He/ she is also the commander in chief of the
  military.

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G) Judicial Branch

• 1) The Judicial branch is the federal courts (the
  highest being the SUPREME COURT) 2) The courts
  decide if the other two branches are acting in a
  legal and constitutional manner.
• 3) Every new law is held up to the Constitution
  to see if it is legal.

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Which branch of the government is the most
powerful?

• H) CHECKS AND BALANCES
• 1) Rules that keep the branches equal in power
  and influence over the government and society.

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• 1) Each branch has leverage (power) over the
  other 2 branches.
• 2) If one branch begins to get out of control,
  the other 2 branches can push it back into line

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Can we change the Constitution?

• I) The AMENDMENTS- permanent changes to the
  Constitution.
• 1) The Framers knew that the country would grow
  and change and the Constitution would have to
  change with it

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• 2) The Amendments contain and define the freedoms
  and liberties of the American citizens.
• 3) Their have been 27 Amendments approved since
  1787.
• 4) The fist ten Amendments were passed at the
  same time. They are called the BILL OF RIGHTS