The U.S. Constitution has 4,400 words. It is the oldest and shortest written Constitution of any major government in the world.“

When the U.S. Constitution was written there were 4 million people in the U.S. Today there are 307 million.

The first time the formal term “The United States of America” was used was in the Declaration of Independence.

Regular elections give people a chance to speak out

“That government is best which governs least.”

Henry David Thoreau

The federal (national) government has delegated power

The states have reserved power

Concurrent power describes the duties they share

Judicial Review:The Judicial Branch decides if the other branches are acting within the Constitution.

Responsible for creating laws “Power of the Purse” First Accomplishments:

› Set up the governments financial system

› Organized government departments Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms,

and Explosives Bureau of Citizenship and

Immigration Services (USCIS) Bureau of Consumer Financial

Protection› Dealt with Revolutionary war debt› Wrote the Bill of Rights› Picked Washington D.C. to be the

capital

Carries out laws President is the head of the

Executive Branch Vice President: president of Senate/

takes office if needed The Cabinet

› The Cabinet is an advisory body made up of the heads of the 15 executive departments. Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, the members of the Cabinet are often the President's closest confidants.http://www.whitehouse.gov/our-government/executive-branch

Interprets the meaning of laws passed by Congress and set punishments for those who break them.

The Supreme Court The Constitution

› limits judicial power › Created the process for appointing judges

All other aspects where left to Congress to set-up.

The constitution has been amended 27 times

Amendments can be repealed (ex. Amendment 21 a.k.a Prohibition )

It is difficult to amend

Been in place for over 220 years

It’s the longest lasting constitution in the world

The people ARE the government

The people choose their leaders

Power is shared between the state and federal government

Power is divided between three branches of government

It is amendable It is enduring Our first amendment

is admired around the world.

Our Constitution was written with an “elastic” clause which was used to adapt to modern times.

We will start with the Preamble of the Constitution. Please go to the Power Point “The Constitution” for

more in depth study of the Constitution.

We the people of the United States, 1. in Order to form a more perfect Union,2. establish Justice,3. insure domestic Tranquility,4. provide for the common defense,5. promote the general Welfare, 6. and secure the Blessings of Liberty to

ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the

United Statesof America.