THE CONSTITUTION

GOALS OF THE CONsTITUTION

• The Preamble of the constitution is its introduction.
• It's six goals were: to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty.

MAJOR PRINCIPLES

• Constitution has seven major principles: popular sovereignty, republicanism, limited government, federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, and individual rights.
• Popular sovereignty is the authority of the people
• Under republicanism voters hold sovereign power.
• By making a limited government, the government would have certain powers granted by the people.
• There's three types of of government powers: Enumerated powers, reserved powers, and concurrent powers.
• 17 amendments abolished slavery, define citizenship, guarantee the right to vote to all citizens, authorize and income tax, and set a two-term limit of presidency.

MAJOR PRINCIPLES CONT.

• Enumerated powers belong only to federal government
• Reserved powers are powers retained by states
• Concurrent powers are powers shared by the state and federal governments.
• To prevent any overpowering group, federal government was divided into legislative, executive, and judicial.

A LIVING CONSTITUTION

• The amendment process is difficult to discourage minor or frequent changes.
• Amendment can be proposed by the vote of 2/3 of both houses of Congress or by 2/3 state legislatures asking for a special convention.
• Implied powers means powers not specifically defined in Constitution. Constitution allowed executive to extend powers
• The Court said that they could say whether a law violates the constitution.
• Judicial review- a major power of judicial branch

THE LEGISLATIVE Branch

• The legislative branch makes the laws;it also lays and collects taxes, and can declare war.
• Two houses: House of Representatives and the Senate.
• House of Representatives has 435 voting people. Representatives who must be at least 25 years, serve 2 terms
• Senate has 100 senators 2 each state; must be at least 30 to serve 6 terms
• Congress makes the nation's laws and control government spending.

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH CONT.

• House of Representatives can impeach or bring formal charges against any federal official it suspects of wrongdoing.
• Only the Senate can ratify treaties made by the president.
• Constituents- people of their home states and districts. Expects senators and representatives to promote and protect state's interests.
• A conference committee works out a compromise bill that is acceptable to both House of Representatives and the Senate.

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH CONT. 2

• Once bill is approved in Congress, it's sent to Senate or House for debate. It can be passed, returned, or rejected to committee.
• First veto was in 1792 by George Washington.

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

• Executive branch includes president, Vice President, & other offices. This branch carries out laws.
• President plays the chief executive, chief diplomat, commander in chief, chief of state, and legislative leader.
• Chief executive carries out nations laws. Chief diplomat directs foreign policy, appoints ambassadors, and discusses treaties. Commander in chief use military to assist situations at home and around the world. Can't declare war.
• Chief of state representative of Americans.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH CONT.

• Legislative leader proposes laws to Congress and works for them. The executive office is made of individuals and agencies that assist the president.
• Independent agencies manage federal programs in fields including banking, communications, farm credit, and trade.
• The secretaries of departments are members of presidents cabinet- groups helps president make decisions and set gov policy.

The JUDICIAL bRANCH

• Supreme Court and other courts make up this branch.
• Lowest federal courts have U.S. district courts- work out criminal and civil cases.
• Next level appeals courts, reviews district court decisions.
• Supreme Court is at the top led by a Chief Justice. First was John Jay in 1789.
• Constitution doesn't describe chief justices duties. Their laws developed by laws, traditions, and needs of circumstances of national

JUDICIAL BRANCH CONT.

• Duty of of justices is to hear and rule cases.
• 3 decision tasks- deciding which cases to hear among thousands, deciding the case, & determining an explanation (Court's opinion).
• Supremes Court's power to examine the laws and actions of local, state, and national govs and to cancel them if they violate the constitution is the Judicial Review.

RIGHTS OF AMERICAN CITIZENS

• Due process of law-gov must follow certain procedures that have been established by law and are guaranteed in Constitution.
• Americans despite race, religious beliefs, or political beliefs, have right to be treated equal(14th amendment).
• 1st amendment-freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, & right to petition.
• 9th amendment-Americans aren't limited to rights in constitution.
• 26th-American citizens can vote at age 18;

AMERICAN RIGHTS CONT.

• Rights aren't limited, gov can establish laws and rules though
• But rights maybe limited to protect rights interfering with others' rights
• Restrictions must be reasonable and has to apply equally to everyone.

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION

• Citizen- person who owes loyalty to & is entitled to the protection of a state or union.
• Citizenship can be to people born outside of U.S. if one parent is US citizen.
• Must be 18 years; must have lived in US for 5 years, must accept constitution, must understand English and US history, must follow the law.
• As a citizen we must follow certain duties and responsibilities.
• One duty is to obey the law.Law has 3 functions maintains order, protect health, safety, prop of citizens.

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION CONT.

• Duty 2-must pay taxes;gov uses tax money to defend nation, provide insurance for the 65+, & build roads & bridges
• Duty 3-defend nation; males 18+ must sign for military service, constitution guarantees right to jury when 18+
• We also have responsibilities, since it's voluntary, we do not get punished for not doing it.
• We need to know what gov is doing and know to voice it if you disagree. We need to know about our rights & exercise them sometimes

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION CONT. 2

• Voting when 18 is mist important responsibility;allows to participate in gov
• You can participate in gov: political campaign, helping at hospital or library, local cleanup
• Belonging or participating in groups, this can deal with economic causes or specific causes.
• Citizens can involve in a political party- present voters with views on wide issues, keep citizens aware if issues
• We all must respect others' rights even with those that we disagree with and accepting others no matter what.

THE END