The Living
Constitution
Modern U.S. History
The 7 “Principles” of the
Constitution
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Popular Sovereignty
Republicanism
Federalism
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Limited Government
Individual Rights
Popular Sovereignty
 This concept means that
the “people” rule in our
country
 We are the source of the
government’s power
 This has taken on new
people throughout
history (like who?)
 African American men
(1865)
 Women (1920)
 18 year olds (1971)
Republicanism
 Our government
works by people
choosing our leaders
– who then make the
decisions for us
Federalism
 Federalism is a
system of “shared”
powers between the
national government
and the state
governments 1. Maintain Military
2. Declare War
3. Post Offices
4. Weights and
Measures
5. Protect Copyrights
1. Establish local
Governments
2. Schools
3. Regulate state
Commerce
4. Marriage
Regulations
5. Drivers Licenses
Separation of Powers
 Power in our government is split, or
separated among 3 branches
 Executive (the president and those who
serve under him/her)
 Legislative (Congress)
 Judicial (The Federal Courts)
Checks and Balances
 Each branch of government exercises
control, or a check on the other
branches.
 This ensures that one branch doesn’t
become too powerful
Limited Government and
Individual Rights
 Limited Government: Constitution lists
things that the government cannot do. It
also explain how all citizens, weak or
strong, must obey the law
 Individual Rights: People get certain
individual privileges – protections from
powerful government
The Electoral College
 Voters don’t choose President directly
 Each state has “electors” that make up
the Electoral College
 Winner take all – meaning that if a
candidate wins a state – they get all of
that state’s ‘electors’ (with some
exceptions)
Electoral College Map – 2008
Election
Barack Obama – Blue
John McCain – Red
Roles of the President
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Commander-in-Chief
Chief Executive
Chief Diplomat
Legislative Leader
Head of Political Party
Commander-in-Chief
Chief Executive
Chief Diplomat & Chief of
State
Legislative Leader
Head of Political Party
Judicial Review
 Judicial Review is one of
the most important
powers the Judicial
Branch has
 The Supreme Court (and
other federal courts)
have the power to
examine laws and
government activity and
decide whether it
violates the Constitution
America: Both Federal and State
Governments
1. Maintain Military
2. Declare War
Taxes
3. Post Offices
Courts
4. Weights and
Measures
Laws
5. Protect Copyrights Roads
1. Establish local
Governments
2. Schools
3. Regulate state
Commerce
4. Marriage
Regulations
5. Driver’s Licenses
Amending the Constitution
 Constitution can be amended – or
changed
 Has been amended 27 times in history
 Amendment must be passed by 2/3 of
BOTH houses of Congress – or
application by 2/3 of the states
 To be passed: Amendment must be
ratified by ¾ of state legislatures or ¾ of
state conventions
The Bill of Rights
 The first 10
Amendments to the
Constitution
 Guarantees basic
freedoms and
liberties for all U.S.
citizens
The 1st Amendment
 The 1st Amendment
guarantees
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Freedom of Speech
Freedom of Religion
Freedom of the Press
Freedom of Assembly
Freedom to Petition
the Government
Amendments 2-4
 The 2nd Amendment: Citizens have the
right to keep and bear arms
 The 3rd Amendment: The government
cannot quarter troops in your home
 The 4th Amendment: Citizens have
protection against illegal searches and
seizures (gov’t must obtain a warrant &
have probable cause to conduct a
search)
The 5th Amendment
 People accused of
crimes have the right
to not “incriminate”
themselves
 The “Right” to remain
silent
 No person is ever
forced to testify
against themselves
Amendments 6-8: Protects
those accused of crimes
 6th Amendment: Right to a Speedy and Public Trial
(also the right to hear the charges, right to call
witnesses in your favor, and right to an attorney)
 7th Amendment: Trial by Jury in Civil cases
 8th Amendment: Limits of Fines and Punishments
(no ‘excessive’ bail, or ‘cruel and unusual’
punishment)
 9th Amendment: Addresses the rights of people
that aren’t specifically stated in the Constitution
 10th Amendment: Says that anything the
Constitution doesn’t mention is left up to the states
Other Famous Amendments
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13th: Slavery is outlawed (1865)
16th: Income tax is allowed (1913)
18th: Prohibition of alcohol (1919)
19th: Women’s Suffrage (right to vote) (1920)
21st: Prohibition repealed (1933)
22nd: Limits President to 2 terms (1951)
25th: Presidential Disability/Succession (1967)
26th: 18 year olds can vote (1971)
27th: Congressional pay raises (1992)
The Line of Succession after
the President (who are they
today???)
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1. Vice-President
2. Speaker of the House
3. President Pro-Tempore of the Senate
4. Secretary of State
5. Secretary of Treasury
Executive Departments
(The President’s Cabinet)
 Leaders of all the Executive Departments
serve in the President’s Cabinet – or
closest group of advisors
The President’s Cabinet
 The Secretary of… (they all serve as Presidential
advisors and heads of their gov’t department)
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Agriculture
Commerce
Defense
Education
Energy
Health & Human Services
Homeland Security
Housing and Urban Development
Interior
Justice (Attorney General)
Labor
State
Transportation
Treasury
Veteran’s Affairs
Key Members of our
Government – those we need
to know
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President
Vice President
Speaker of the House of Representatives
President Pro-Tempore of the Senate
Secretary of State
2 U.S. Senators from Wisconsin
U.S. Representative whose district
includes Waterford
 Governor of Wisconsin
The President of the
United States
 Barack Obama
The Vice President of the
United States
 Joe Biden
The Speaker of the House
of Representatives
 John Boehner
President Pro-Tempore of
the Senate
 Daniel Inouye
The Secretary of State
 Hillary Clinton
Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court
 John Roberts
Wisconsin’s 2 U.S.
Senators
 Herb Kohl
 Ron Johnson
U.S. Representative whose
district includes Waterford
 Paul Ryan
Wisconsin’s 1st District
The Governor of Wisconsin
 Scott Walker
Lt. Governor of Wisconsin
 Rebecca Kleefisch
State Representative and State
Senator for the Village and
Town of Waterford
State Rep. David Craig
District 83
State Sen. Mary Lazich
District 28
State Representative and State
Senator for the Village Rochester,
Town of Norway, and Town of Dover
State Rep. Robin Vos
District 63
State Sen. John Lehman
District 21
*Those living in the Town of Norway will become part of a new Assembly
district – the 62nd – following the fall 2012 election