building blocks of america

Building Blocks of…

Constitution

• The Constitution was written in 1787.

• It is the “Supreme law of the land”.– No Law may contradict it– No person is exempt from following it

• The Constitution establishes a federal democratic republic– We have a union of 50 states, the people

govern themselves, people choose the representatives, and the government gains its power from the people.

Important Parts

• Inherent rights

• Self Government

• Separation of powers

• Inherent rights: Rights that anyone living in America has

• Self Government: Government by the people.

• Seperation of Powers: Branches of governments with different powers (Checks and Balances)

Inherent Rights

Self-Government

The Three Types of Government

Three types of Government

• Executive

• Legislative

• Judicial

ExecutiveCommander in Chief.

President

Commander of Armed forces in America

Can sign bills into laws

The US President

• Can pardon people and/or “animals”.• Can convene or adjourn (call or close) the

Senate or House of Representatives.• Power with the Presidents have grown in

recent years.• President can “over ride” Congress in

certain circumstances in regards to war.• The President can serve _____ years as

President.

Legislative Branch

Supreme Court and the House of Representatives both reside in the Capital Building

Judicial Branch

The US Supreme Court

• Highest federal court in the United States

• It has jurisdiction over all courts in the US

• Final interpreter of Constitutional Law

• Consists of eight judges and one chief Justice- 9 judges total

• Once appointed, the Supreme Court judges stay for life…UNLESS

The US Supreme Court

• They die

• They retire

• Take senior status

• Or can be impeached (This has never happened).

• And the judges are categorized by being conservative, moderate, or liberal in terms of the law.

The Roberts Court