Chapter 9.1 Basic Principles of the
US Constitution
• The Constitution is
the foundation on
which our government
and society are
based.
• There are 7 Articles!
– Articles = sections.
• We are going to cover
the first 3!
U.S. Constitution, Article I
establishes Legislative Branch
• Bicameral ( 2 houses)
– Senate and House of
Representatives
• Senate
– 100 members
• 2 from each state
• 6 year terms in office
•
House of Representatives
– 435 members
• Based on population
• 2 year terms in office
U.S. Constitution, Article II
establishes Executive branch
• Led by President of the
United States
– Approves or vetoes laws
made by Congress
– Appoints federal court judges
– Negotiates treaties with
foreign nations
• Commander in Chief
– Of all branches of the military
in the United States
• Marines, Army, Navy, Coast
Guard, and Air Force
U.S. Constitution, Article III
established Judicial Branch
• Supreme Court
– Interprets the meaning of
laws
– Rules whether laws passed
by Congress are
constitutional or not
– Rules whether POTUS has
acted accordingly
• Done when Congress tries to
impeach POTUS
– Vote to remove president
from office.
U.S. Constitution, Article IV
• Gives ‘full faith and credit’ to each States
– Forces other states to recognize all
government acts done by any state
• Drivers license
• Marriage documents
• Birth records
U.S. Constitution, Article V
• Congress can propose Amendments to
the US Constitution with 2/3 votes by
States.
• There are 27 amendments today added to
the US Constitution!
– Can you name any?
U.S. Constitution, Article VI
• All debts owned by America at time of
ratification will be recognized and must be
paid back.
• Also, stipulates that the US Constitution is
the ‘supreme law of the land’
– Even over any state Constitutions.
U.S. Constitution, Article VII
• Stipulates 9 out of 13 states must sign the
Constitution in order for it to be ratified.
So, why does the Constitution
work?
• It separates each
branches powers!
– No one holds “too
much” power
• Legislative branch
makes the laws
• Executive branch
carries out the laws
• Judicial branch
interprets the laws
Checks and Balances
• US Constitution prevents the abuse of
power by one branch of government by
another.
• How?
– Checks and balances
• Each government has a power over the another.
Powers of the federal government
given by the Constitution
• Called delegated powers:
– Powers written specifically in the Constitution
•
•
•
•
Make money
Maintain military
Establish foreign policy
Declare war on other countries
Powers Given to State Governments by
the US Constitution
• Reserved Powers
– Powers given directly to
state governments
• Examples:
– Regulate trade within a
state
– Establish local
governments
– Conduct local elections
– Establish public school
systems
Powers shared by federal and state
governments
• Concurrent Powers
– Powers that the federal and state
governments share.
– Examples:
• Both federal and states can:
– Establish and enforce laws
– Collect taxes
– Borrow money
Review Questions
• Which branch is established by Article I of
the U.S. Constitution?
• Which branch can declare war on another
country?
• What are delegated powers?
• What are reserved powers?