A Walk Through…

The Constitution

The Constitution… An Introduction The Constitution was written in 1787. It is called “The Supreme Law of the Land”

because…1. All laws passed must follow the principles, or the

ideas found in the Constitution.2. Everyone must follow it, no exceptions.

There are six basic principles in the Constitution. They are…

1. Popular Sovereignty2. Limited Government3. Separation of Powers

4.Checks and Balances

5.Judicial Review

6.Federalism

The 6 principles1. Popular Sovereignty

This means that the government receives its power from the people of the country, and can only govern a country with the peoples consent, or approval.

Simply put the PEOPLE DECIDE

2. Limited Government The Constitution basically says that because the

people give the government power, the government only has as much power as we the people give them.

The Constitution gives limits on government Power.

The 6 principles3. Separation of Powers

The Constitution gives certain powers to each of the three branches of government.

This division of power won’t let any one group misuse, or take too much Power in the United States.

4. Checks and Balances This system gives each of the branches a way to

check on and stop one branch doing something wrong.

This makes sure no branch steps on the rights of citizens.

The 6 principles5. Judicial Review

This says that the Supreme Court has the power to review any acts that would be unconstitutional.

It also makes sure the government follows the constitution.

6. Federalism This principle says that our government will be

divided into our main government in Washington D.C. and smaller governments for each state.

It is meant to share powers with the state, but the main government in stronger, but not strong enough to threaten the states, or the individual people of our country.

•Which principle talks about giving the states Power? What is this called?

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•What is the check called to make sure that no one group gains too much power?

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The Constitution… The Outline The Constitution is broken down into the

following…The PreambleArticle I – The Legislative BranchArticle II – The Executive BranchArticle III – The Judicial BranchArticle IV – Relations among the statesArticle V – Provisions for AmendmentsArticle VI – National Debts, Supremacy of law & OathArticle VII – Ratification of ConstitutionThe Amendments

The Preamble… The Preamble of the Constitution says…

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 our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Ok, but what does this mean?This tells us the purpose of the government. It also says that the government is supposed to

defend justice and liberty, as well as provide peace and safety from foreign countries.

Article I – The Legislative Branch This article is broken down into 10 sections,

each one talks about something specific about the Legislative Branch.Section 1 – tells how Congress can make laws.Section 2 – Talks about the House of

Representatives. The Qualifications, How they are appointed, How to fill

vacancies, and impeachment.

Section 3 – Talks about the Senate The Qualifications, terms, who the President of the

Senate is, Other officers (President Pro Tempore), impeachment.

Article I – The Legislative BranchSection 4 – This talks about when the election of

Congress takes place.Section 5 – This talks about how the Legislative

process in congress works.Section 6 – This talks about the salary of

Congress.Section 7 – This talks about how a Bill can become

a law after a President would veto a Bill.Section 8 – This sections talks about the Powers of

Congress Some of the powers given are how congress can borrow

and collect money, trade, coining money, establish post offices, declaring war, organizing military, as well as many other areas.

Article I – The Legislative BranchSection 9 – Powers that Congress can’t control.Section 10 – Powers the state can’t have.

This says states can’t act as a separate nation, says that states can’t tax any other states, and says that states can’t keep their own individual army.

1. What are two powers of Congress?

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2. What are two things that state’s can’t do?

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Article II – The Executive Branch This article is broken down into 4 sections,

each one talks about something specific about the Executive Branch.Section 1 – This section goes into details about the

following… Says the President is in charge of carrying out laws

passed by Congress. Discusses how the Electoral College selects the

President, and when the Elections take place. Gives the Qualifications of the President ex – 35 years

old and resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years The salary of the President, and the official oath of office

of the President.

Article II – The Executive BranchSection 2 – Gives the Powers of the President.

Shows he is commander and chief of the military. Shows the President has the power to make treaties.

Section 3 – Gives the Duties of the President. President must give a report to Congress every year (This

is now called the State of the Union address) Must carry out laws of the country.

Section 4 – Talks about how a President can be impeached.

What are two qualifications to become President of the United States?

Article III – The Judicial Branch This article is broken down into 3 sections,

each one talks about something specific about the Judicial Branch.Section 1 – This section talks discusses the lifetime

term of a Supreme Court judge as well as showing they have judicial power meaning they can decide legal cases.

Section 2 – This section talks about what kinds of cases the Supreme Court can hear. It ranges from treaties, disagreements between states, and whether laws follow the constitution, or are constitutional. It also says that all trials of crime are by a trial by jury.

Article III – The Judicial BranchSection 3 – This section talks about Treason.

Treason is an action taken against the government.

It isn’t a thought, it must be an action. It says that a person can be convicted only if they

confess or at least two witnesses testify to it. The punishment is decided by congress, but it

can’t punish the children by taking away rights of their children.

What is treason?

What are different things that the Supreme

Court can try?

Article IV – Relations Among the States This article is broken down into 4 sections,

each one talks about something specific how states deal with one another.Section 1 – This says that each state must

recognize all records from other states. For example a marriage certificate from one state is good

in all other states.

Section 2 – This section talks about privileges It says that each state must treat its citizens the same It says that a state must send any caught suspected

criminal back to the state where they ran from.

Article IV – Relations Among the StatesSection 3 – This section talks about New states

and Territories. It says that Congress can admit new states. It also says that they can’t break up states unless both

Congress and the State approve it. It lastly says that Congress can make laws for any

territory or land that the U.S. owns.

Section 4 – This says that government must protect each state from any foreign invasion.

•Who makes the decision on whether the U.S. can add new states?

•Who makes the laws for territories owned by the United States?

Articles V, VI, and VII Article V – Provisions for Amendment

This article says the Constitution can be amended, or changed if…

2/3 of the both the House and Senate vote to approve

¾ of the states need to approve the amendment as well.

Articles V, VI, and VII Article VI – National Debts, Supremacy of Law,

and the Oath. It says it is going to pay all debts and honor all

agreements that were made with the Articles of Confederation.

It says that Federal laws are more important then state laws. (Supremacy of Law)

It says that all people in office must take an oath, or a promise to support the Constitution.

Article VII – This says that nine states needed to ratify the Constitution, this was completed by October of 1788.

•How can the Constitution be changed, or amended?

•What is Supremacy of Law?

The Amendments There are 27 Amendments, or changes to the

Constitution since 1787. They are…First Amendment – This protects the five basic

rights, they are… Freedom of Religion Freedom of Speech Freedom of the Press Freedom of Assembly Freedom to use Petitions.

Second Amendment – This gives us the right to bear arms, or keep weapons.

The Amendments Third Amendment – This Amendment says that the

government may not quarter troops. This means that the U.S. can’t force someone to let a soldier stay at their home.

Fourth Amendment – This stops illegal searches of homes, and taking of property. This forces judges to issue warrants to search property, or take items.

Fifth Amendment – This amendment gives rights to people accused of crimes. It also says that people can’t be tried for the same crime

twice Must have a fair trial and can’t be forced to testify against

themselves It also says the government can’t take private property for

public use unless they pay fair price for it.

The Amendments Sixth Amendment – This talks about Criminal

proceedings It says that a jury must be impartial, or not favor

either side.Trail must be speedy, and can’t postpone a trial on

purpose.Witnesses can be ordered to testify for the defense.

Seventh Amendment – This says that in Civil trial guarantees a right to a jury in cases that are worth more then $20.

The Amendments Eighth Amendment – It talks about

punishment for crimes. It says…No Excessive bail, which means your bail to get out

of jail can’t be really, really high.No Excessive fines, which means the fines you pay

in court can’t be really, really expensive.No cruel or unusual punishments can be given,

such as physical abuse. Ninth Amendment – This just says that people

have rights that are not directly in the Constitution.

The Amendments Tenth Amendment – This just says that Power

not given to the federal government are given to the state, and powers of the state are not in the Constitution.

These first ten Amendments are called the Bill of Rights of the United States.

What rights does the 1st Amendment give us?

What does the 5th amendment give us?

The Amendments Eleventh Amendment – This says that a

citizen from one state can’t sue a different state in a federal court, but can in a state court.

Twelfth Amendment – This amendment is a long amendment that just says that when voting for a president you vote for one President, and one Vice President, and that if there is a tie, the House of Representatives chooses the President, and that we still use the Electoral College.

The Amendments Thirteenth Amendment – This amendment outlawed

slavery. It also said Congress can enforce this amendment.

Fourteenth Amendment – Gives rights of Citizens Section 1 – This defines what a citizen is, and gives equal

rights to African Americans. It gives “equal protection under the law”, it doesn’t however stop discrimination.

Section 2 – This section makes the House of Representatives strictly on population per state.

Section 3 – This says that people who were confederates during the Civil War could not be in the government.

Section 4 – It said the U.S. would pay for debts, but not debts to the Confederacy.

Section 5 – Congress passes laws that enforce this Amendment

The Amendments Fifteenth Amendment – Gives all African

Americans the right to vote, and Congress has the right to pass laws to make sure this Amendment is carried out.

Sixteenth Amendment – This gives Congress the power to collect taxes on what people make, otherwise known as their income.

Seventeenth Amendment – This says that people vote for Senators, and if there is a vacancy the Governor of that state needs to order an election for the seat in the Senate.

What did the 13th amendment do?

What did the 15th amendment do?

Which amendment talks about taxing because of income?

The Amendments Eighteenth Amendment – This made selling or

buying alcohol illegal. This was known as Prohibition. This amendment only lasted 14 years.

Nineteenth Amendment – This is known as the women’s suffrage amendment. It gave women the right to vote.

Twentieth Amendment – Discusses information on the President and Congress. Section 1 – Says that the term of a President takes office of

January 20th.

Section 2 – Says Congress stars on January 3rd. Section 3 – Says that if the elected President dies before he

takes office, the Vice President elected will take office. Section 4 – Discusses other factors of what would happen if

a President isn’t decided before January 20th.

The Amendments Twenty-first Amendment – This amendment gets rid

the 18th Amendment, or repeals it. It also says that states can make alcoholic drinks illegal

within its borders. Twenty-second Amendment – This limits the amount

of times a President can be elected. It says the can be elected a total of two terms with some

exceptions. This was done because of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Twenty-third Amendment – This amendment gives the people living in Washington D.C. the right to vote. Before this amendment people who lived in Washington D.C. could not vote for a President.

The Amendments Twenty-fourth Amendment – This amendment bans

poll taxes. Poll taxes charges a tax to be allowed to vote. It was done to stop African Americans from voting.

Twenty-fifth Amendment – Talks about who become President and vice President after a death… Section 1 – If the President dies the Vice President takes

office. Section 2 – When the Vice President takes office, he picks a

new Vice President, but must be approved by a majority vote in congress.

Section 3 – Says if the President can’t perform the duties of President he can let the Vice President take over until the President is able to again.

The Amendments Twenty-sixth Amendment – This amendment

lowers the voting age from 21 to 18. Twenty-Seventh Amendment – This

amendment says that if Congress gives themselves a pay raise, it does not go into affect until next election.

Which amendment bans poll taxes, and what are poll taxes?

Which amendment lowers the voting age? What age did it drop to?

What amendment discusses when a President takes office, and what day does a President take office?