THE CONSTITUTION PREAMBLE A preamble is an introduction

THE CONSTITUTION PREAMBLE A preamble is an introduction. The introduction to the Constitution lists the goals of the Constitution. The goals of the Constitution refer to problems under the Articles of Confederation. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) GOALS OF THE CONSTITUTION Form a More Perfect Union Establish Justice Insure Domestic Tranquility Provide for the Common Defense Promote the General Welfare Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and Our Posterity

STRUCTURE OF THE CONSTITUTION 7 ARTICLES OF THE CONSTITUTION Article I – Legislative Branch Article II – Executive Branch Article III – Judicial Branch Article IV – States and the Federal Government Article V – Amendment Process Article VI – Supremacy of National Law Article VII - Ratification

ARTICLE I: LEGISLATIVE BRANCH CONGRESS (BICAMERAL) – PURPOSE = MAKE LAWS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES • • Based on State Population Directly Elected by People MAJOR POWERS OF CONGRESS • • Tax Declare War Raise/Maintain and Army Regulate Interstate Trade Tax Imports Create Postal System Coin Money Create Lower Federal Courts SENATE 2 Per State Originally selected by State Legislatures Today Directly Elected • • • POWERS DENIED CONGRESS • • Suspend Writ of Habeas Corpus Pass Bills of Attainder Ex Post Facto Law Tax Exports

ARTICLE II: EXECUTIVE BRANCH PRESIDENT: PURPOSE – ENFORCE THE LAW ROLES OF THE PRESIDENT • Chief Executive • Commander-in-Chief • Legislative Leader • Judicial Leader • Chief of State • Foreign Policy Maker POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT • • • Enforce laws passed by Congress Send troops into battle Enter into Treaties Appoint Federal Judges Appoint Ambassadors Grant Pardons - Reprieves

ARTICLE III: JUDICIAL BRANCH SUPREME COURT – PURPOSE – INTERPRET THE LAW SUPREME COURT • 9 Justices – Appointed by the President • Justices serve life terms. • Supreme Court oversees actions of Congress and the President. Court uses the Constitution to make sure government actions are Constitutional.

ARTICLE IV: RELATIONS AMONG THE STATES This article establishes what the states agree to do for one another, and what the federal government will provide to each state. STATE to STATE • Respect laws, contracts, etc. . • Extradition – send criminal to stand trial in other states. FEDERAL to STATE • Rules for admitting new states to the Union • Republican form of Government • Protect against invasion

ARTICLE V: AMENDMENTS PROCESS BY WHICH CHANGES CAN BE MADE TO THE CONSTITUTION PROPOSAL • Amendments to the Constitution must be approved by 2/3 of both houses of Congress to be proposed (or) • 2/3 of the states call for a national convention for the proposal of an amendment RATIFICATION • Amendments must be ratified by ¾ of the State Legislatures

ARTICLE VI: SUPREMACY OF NATIONAL LAW 1. All debts contracted under the Articles of Confederation will be honored by US Government 2. US Constitution, Federal Law, and Treaties are the Supreme Law of the Land (Supremacy Clause) 3. All Federal Public Officials will take an oath to protect and support the Constitution >

ARTICLE VII: RATIFICATION • For the Constitution to go into effect, it had to be ratified, approved by 9 of 13 states. RATIFICATION 9 of 13 STATES

Principles of the Constitution • 1. 2. 3. 4. These are major concepts embedded in the Constitution. Each of these concepts are important ideas that deal with limiting the power of government, and ensuring that the people retain power and rights. Popular Sovereignty – The people rule. Limited Government – The people retain certain rights that cannot be denied by the government. Federalism – The states and the federal government share power. Separation of Power – 3 Branches + Checks & Balances.

The Bill of Rights • Amendment Assembly • Amendment • Amendment • Amendment 1 – Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion, Press, & 2 – Right to Bear Arms 3 – Quartering of Soldiers 4 – Search & Seizure 5 – Rights of the Accused 6 – Requirements for a Jury Trial 7 – Rules of Common Law 8 – Limits on Criminal Punishment 9 – Rights Kept by the People 10 – Powers of the States and the People

Amendments 11 -19 • • • Amendment Amendment Amendment 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 – – – – – Suits Against States Presidential Election Method Slavery Abolished Civil Rights Guaranteed Black voting Rights Income Tax Direct Election of Senators Prohibition Women’s Voting Rights

Amendments 20 -27 • • Amendment Amendment 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 – – – – Terms of Office and Presidential Succession Repeal of Prohibition Limits on Presidential Terms Electors for the District of Columbia Abolition of Poll Tax Presidential Disability Voting Age Congressional Pay