The Development of the Government of the United States

Federalism and the Constitution

The power is divided between the state and national government.

The Constitution is the supreme law of the land.

The Constitution

Separation of Powers

The power is divided between the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branch.

One branch does not have more power than the other.

Balance of Power

Checks and Balances

US Government

ExecutiveBranch

LegislativeBranch

JudicialBranch

The Powers of government are divided equally, but each branch of power is able to check on the other. The Government is not able to abuse its power.

The Constitution- a contract between the people and its government

The Preamble-lists six goals for the government

JusticeDefenseLibertyUnityPeace Posterity

PosterityPosterity

UnityUnity

JusticeJustice

DefenseDefense

LibertyLiberty

PeacePeace

ConstitutionConstitution

Amendment ProcessProposing an amendment

Proposed by 2/3 vote from the Senate and House of Representatives.

A national convention requested by 2/3 of state legislature.

Amendment ProcessRatifying an amendment (changing the Constitution)

¾ of the state legislature needed to approve the amendment.

Ratified by specially called convention in at least ¾ of the states.

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Structure of Congress

Congress

Senate(100)

US House ofRepresentatives

(435)

The House of RepresentativesRequirements

A rep. must be 25 yrs and citizen for 7yrs.

Each term is 2 years.

It is determined by the population of the state.

The census that takes place every ten years determines the population number.

Apportionment is the distribution of the number of representatives

The Senate Requirements

Each State has two Senators.

A Senator must be 30 years.

A resident for 9 years.

Term of Office is 6 years.

CA. Sen. Barbara Boxer

CA. Sen. Dianne Feinstein

Congressional Powers are delegated by the Constitution

BorrowingPowers

CurrencyPowers

NaturalizationProcess

Weights &

Measures

PostalService

CopyrightPowers

WarPowers

CommercePowers

BankruptcyPowers

Tax Powers

DelegatedPowers

Impeachment(Nonlegislative Powers)

Impeachment Powers are to remove someone from office.

The Representatives need a majority to remove someone from power.

The Senate needs 2/3 vote to convict and to remove someone from office.

The Party Leadership

The head of the Senate is called President of the Senate. The position belongs to Vice-President.

VP Joe Biden

The Party Leadership

The House of Representatives is

led by the Speaker of the House.

Whoever is in power chooses the Speaker.

Congressman John Boehner

2013 Speaker of the House

Executive Branch

Requirements for President

Natural born citizen

Lived in US for 14 years

Must be 35 years old

President Barack Obama

Number Of Terms

Term of Office is 4 years

Maximum 2 terms

Oval Office

Electoral College

President is chosen by Electoral College.

Electors are chosen by each state which is the total number of Representatives and Senators.

The White House The president works

from the Oval Office.

Chief of Staff directs the staff.

Personal Secretary

Chief Counsel advises on law.

Press Secretary releases info. to the press.

The White House

The Cabinet

It is an advisory board that advises the president.

Former Secretary Of StateHillary Clinton

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel

JUDICIAL BRANCH

FOUNDATION OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM

The courts receive their powers from the Constitution.

Federal judges and Supreme Court Justices serve for life.

Judges are appointed by the president and approved by The Senate.

Jurisdictions

The right to interpret and apply the law.Supreme Court Building

The Supreme Court

9 Justices and one is a Chief Justice The Supreme Court is highest court of the land They rule if the law is constitutional.

Supreme Court Justices