FORMING A NEW NATION

• What was the first attempt of Americans to form a government?

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

• First attempt of Americans to form a new government.

Why did the Articles fail?

WEAKNESS OF ARTICLES

• No standing army to protect the nation.• No court system to enforce laws.• Central gov. could not collect taxes.• Each state had its own money.• The 13 states seemed to be separate nations

• What did Americans do next?

U.S CONSTITUTION

• Plan of U.S Government.-1789 to present

FEDERAL SYSTEM

• Power divided between state and national governments.

• Reserve powers- set aside for states• Delegated powers- set aside for national

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

• Makes laws.• Bi-cameral- two Houses = Congress:• House of Representatives- based on

population, more people= more Reps.• Senate- each state gets two.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

• Enforces laws.• President• Vice-President• Electoral College- chooses Pres. And V-P.• Cabinet- advisors to President.• Agencies and Commissions.

JUDICIAL BRANCH

• Interprets laws:• Judicial review- can declare laws

unconstitutional.• District Court- original cases.• Appeals Court- reviews cases.• Supreme Court- has the final say.

SEPARATION OF POWERS

• Each branch has its own duties.

CHECKS AND BALANCES

• Each branch can limit power of others:• Veto- president can cancel a law.• Override- Congress cancels the veto.• Judicial review- Courts can cancel laws.

IMPEACHMENT

• Gov. officials can be removed from office.

EXTRADITION

• People can be moved from one state to another to face trial.

FULL FAITH AND CREDIT

• Rights granted in one state apply to all states.

WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS

• Law enforcement officers must provide a reason for arrest.

NO BILL OF ATTAINDER

• Can not pass a law to arrest someone.

NO NOBILITY

• No royalty.

AMENDMENTS

• Changes to Constitution:• Passes by Congress then:• Passed by ¾ of state legislatures.