The United States Constitution

Supreme Law of the Land

Constitution

1 A document or set of documents

2 lays out the laws or principles of a government, state or society

3 owners manual for government

Basic Principles of the Constitution1 Federalism

System of government which calls for a which calls for a strong national government but still leaves some powers in the hands of the individual states

1 Separation of Powers Divides the government

powers between three branches of government Legislative Executive Judicial

Preamble

a paragraph stating the purpose of the government

1 Form A More Perfect

Union unite the 13 states

2 Establish Justice create a court system

3 Insure domestic tranquility peace within our boarders

1 Provide for a Common Defense protect our boarders

2 Promote General Welfare create conditions to benefit

citizens

3 Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and prosperity freedom

The Goals of Our Government

Articles, Sections, and Clauses 1 Constitution is organized into 7 parts called articles

an article will discuss a branch of government.

2 Each article is organized into sections A section discusses a part of that branch

3 Each section is organized into clauses and a clause will go into further detail

4 New articles sections and clauses begin when a new idea is being discussed

Article 1 The Legislative Branch – Two-part Congress

House of Representatives Senate

List powers of congress Enumerated powers

Founding Fathers (FF) thought it was the most important and powerful branch discussed first largest branch longest – 10 sections

Article 2 The Executive Branch –

President Spells out qualifications and

terms of the President List executive powers FF thought it should be the

weakest branch 4 sections

Article 3 Judicial Branch –

Supreme and Federal Courts

Defines jurisdiction Supreme Court has

final say Supreme Court Justices

and federal judges are appointed

3 sections

Article 4

The States must honor laws of other states Explains how states are admitted to the Union Guarantees each state a republic form of government

Article 5 Amending the Constitution

FF knew there would be a need for amendments – changes

Outlines 2 stages of the amendment process Proposal Ratification

Article 6 No religious test is required to hold any public office The supremacy of the Constitution

Federal Law out weighs state law

Article 7 Ratification – approving the Constitution by each

state

Bill of Rights First ten amendments Lists

personal rights Due process rights States rights

1st Amendment Guarantees

freedom of speech, press, assembly and petition

2nd Amendment Guarantees the right

to bear arms

3rd Amendment Prohibits the quartering

of troops

4th Amendment Protects against search and seizures

5th Amendment Protect the rights of

people accused of a crime

6th Amendments Promise a speedy trial

Promise a right to an attorney

7th Amendment

Preserve the right to trial by jury for the accused

8th Amendments Prohibits excessive

bail

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment

9th Amendment

All rights not expressly written in the Constitution belong to the people

10th Amendment Asserts that any rights

that are not denied to the people or specifically given to the federal government are retained by the states or the people