The ConstitutionThe Constitutionest. 1789est. 1789

United States of AmericaUnited States of Americaest. 1776est. 1776

By Mr. PetersonBy Mr. Petersonest. 1981est. 1981

PreamblePreamble

We the people of the United States…We the people of the United States… It begins with “We the people” to It begins with “We the people” to

describe that we (as in citizens) run describe that we (as in citizens) run the government.the government.

The Preamble lists the ideas that we The Preamble lists the ideas that we want to have in our nation to insure want to have in our nation to insure equality.equality.

Article 1Article 1The LegislatureThe Legislature

Describes how the Legislature, aka Describes how the Legislature, aka Congress should act (refer to your Congress should act (refer to your worksheet)worksheet)

The main role of Congress is to make The main role of Congress is to make laws and levy taxeslaws and levy taxes

Congress elected by citizens to Congress elected by citizens to represent citizens in government.represent citizens in government.

Two Houses…House of Two Houses…House of Representatives and the SenateRepresentatives and the Senate

The SenateThe Senate100 Senators (2 from each state)100 Senators (2 from each state)

6 year term6 year term U.S. Vice President-U.S. Vice President- Leader of Leader of

Senate (rarely present)Senate (rarely present) President Pro-Tempore-President Pro-Tempore- The most The most

senior Senate member (majority senior Senate member (majority party).party).

Senate Majority Leader-Senate Majority Leader- Leader of Leader of the majority party.the majority party.

Senate Minority Leader-Senate Minority Leader- Leader of Leader of the minority party.the minority party.

The House of RepresentativesThe House of Representatives(based on population) 435 total(based on population) 435 total

2 year term2 year term

Speaker of the House-Speaker of the House- Leader of Leader of the House, elected by majority party the House, elected by majority party from majority party.from majority party.

House Majority Leader-House Majority Leader- Leader of Leader of the majority party.the majority party.

House Minority Leader-House Minority Leader- Leader of Leader of the minority party.the minority party.

Article 2Article 2Executive BranchExecutive Branch

The President and Vice President are the The President and Vice President are the leaders of the executive branch.leaders of the executive branch.

Commands the military and makes foreign Commands the military and makes foreign treaties with the Senate’s approval.treaties with the Senate’s approval.

Appoints advisors called his/her Appoints advisors called his/her Presidential Cabinet.Presidential Cabinet.

Serves a 4 year term…maximum of 10 yrs.Serves a 4 year term…maximum of 10 yrs. Elected through the electoral college.Elected through the electoral college.

What the heck is the Electoral What the heck is the Electoral CollegeCollege

Each state is assigned a number of delegates Each state is assigned a number of delegates based on the amount of U.S. Senators and based on the amount of U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives in their state U.S. Representatives in their state

Don’t Write example Minnesota has 10 (2 Don’t Write example Minnesota has 10 (2 Senators and 8 Representatives)Senators and 8 Representatives)

If a presidential contender receives the If a presidential contender receives the majority of the vote in the specific state, majority of the vote in the specific state, he/she wins all of the states delegates.he/she wins all of the states delegates.

In order to win the presidency, you must In order to win the presidency, you must receive at least half of the delegates (538 receive at least half of the delegates (538 possible)possible)

Why the Electoral CollegeWhy the Electoral College

The framers wanted a safety net for the The framers wanted a safety net for the presidential election.presidential election.

They believed that Americans (back then) They believed that Americans (back then) were for the most part uneducated and could were for the most part uneducated and could possibly choose a bad president without possibly choose a bad president without knowing.knowing.

They decided that the people could vote for They decided that the people could vote for the president, but the electors would the president, but the electors would ultimately choose the president.ultimately choose the president.

Despite Electoral College, the electors have Despite Electoral College, the electors have always followed what the voters have wanted. always followed what the voters have wanted.

So what can/does he/she do?So what can/does he/she do?

May recommend laws to congressMay recommend laws to congress May call emergency congress sessions in time May call emergency congress sessions in time

of crisesof crises Appoints ambassadors to foreign countries.Appoints ambassadors to foreign countries. Appoints federal judges (with Senate Appoints federal judges (with Senate

approval)approval) Can pardon any federal crimesCan pardon any federal crimes Can veto acts of CongressCan veto acts of Congress Can call for executive orders for up to 90 days Can call for executive orders for up to 90 days

to handle emergency situations. (doesn’t to handle emergency situations. (doesn’t need congress approval)need congress approval)

Article 3Article 3The JudiciaryThe Judiciary

Defines the Judiciary to interpret the laws. Defines the Judiciary to interpret the laws.

Supreme Court is the highest court, takes Supreme Court is the highest court, takes on Constitutional issues only (no criminal)on Constitutional issues only (no criminal)

Underneath is a system of courts that Underneath is a system of courts that covers everything from criminal courts to covers everything from criminal courts to civil courts.civil courts.

Can declare the executive and legislature Can declare the executive and legislature to be unconstitutional. to be unconstitutional.

Articles 4-7Articles 4-7 Article 4Article 4

States must honor one another’s laws, records, States must honor one another’s laws, records, and rulings. and rulings.

Article 5Article 5 The Constitution may be amended, but needs The Constitution may be amended, but needs

to have 2/3rds majority to propose, and 3/4ths to have 2/3rds majority to propose, and 3/4ths to ratify it.to ratify it.

Article 6 Supremacy of the National Govt.Article 6 Supremacy of the National Govt. The Constitution, national laws, and treaties The Constitution, national laws, and treaties

are the supreme law of the land.are the supreme law of the land. Article 7 RatificationArticle 7 Ratification

9 of the 13 states must ratify the constitution 9 of the 13 states must ratify the constitution for it to go into effect.for it to go into effect.

Bill of RightsBill of Rights(First 10 Amendments)(First 10 Amendments)

A list of rights that “people are entitled A list of rights that “people are entitled to against the government”to against the government”

Basically that means:Basically that means: Rights that are guaranteed to every citizen Rights that are guaranteed to every citizen

to protect them from the government.to protect them from the government. They are called Amendments because They are called Amendments because

they were “added” to the Constitution.they were “added” to the Constitution. Amendments 11-27 (not called Bill of Amendments 11-27 (not called Bill of

Rights) were added later throughout Rights) were added later throughout time. time.