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Constitution
Objectives (pg 299-327)
Identify historical facts about the Constitution
Distinguish the purposes of the preamble
Identify several articles w/n the constitution
Recognize current members w/n the first
three articles and note some of their
responsibilities
1
Top 10 facts
of
Constitution
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Author James Madison
Signed in Independence Hall, in Philadelphia
Signed on September 17, 1787..ratified by needed 9 states in 1788
Prepared in secret, behind locked doors guarded by sentries.
55 delegates attending, 39 signed, 3 delegates dissented. Two "founding fathers" didn't
sign: Jefferson was in France & Adams was in Great Britain.
November 26, 1789, George Washington created the first "Thanksgiving Day“ for the
Constitution.
At 81, Ben Franklin of PA was the oldest & @ 26, Jonathon Dayton of NJ was the
youngest.
1791, Americans added a list of rights to the Constitution. The first ten amendments
became known as The Bill of Rights due to concern of a lack of individual rights
The original Constitution is on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, it was moved to Fort Knox for safekeeping.
More than 11,000 amendments have been introduced in Congress. Thirty three have
gone to the states to be ratified & 27 were approved to become amendments
2
The Constitution was
written by
•
•
•
•
A.
B.
C.
D.
Benjamin Franklin
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison
Jonathon Dayton
3
Purpose: provide
framework for
government & preserve
ideals of fore fathers.
U.S. Constitution has three main parts:
Preamble: opening section
Articles (7): describe structure of
government
Amendments (27): additions and change
4
Preamble:
6 purposes
1. “To form a more perfect Union”—unite the states to
effectively operate as a single nation
2. “To establish Justice”—system of fair laws & courts: all
citizens treated equally
3. “To insure domestic Tranquility--peace & order, citizens &
property safe
4. “To provide for the common defense”—militarily ready to
protect the country and its citizens from outside attacks
5. “To promote the general Welfare”—help people live healthy,
happy, & prosperous lives
6. “To secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our
posterity”—guarantee freedom & rights of all Americans,
including future generations
5
What is the main purpose of
the US Constitution?
A. provide a framework for the U.S.
government.
B. Create friendships with other nations
C. All the above
6
The purpose(s) of the
preamble of the
constitution is/are______
A.
B.
C.
D.
To form a more perfect Union
To establish Justice
To insure domestic Tranquility
All the Above
7
Articles of the
Constitution
• Seven divisions.: Each article covers a general
topic.
• Article I: legislative branch.
• Article II: executive branch.
• Article III: judiciary branch.
• Article IV: relations among the states
• Article V: amendment process
• Article VI: national supremacy
• Article VII: ratification
8
LAWS
Enforce Laws
Interprets &
applies Laws
9
Article I: Legislative
- lawmaking authority
House of Representative
Based on state’s
population
Senate
2 per state
Casey & Toomey
Harper
Mensch
Speaker of House is chosen
by the house
Vice President serves as
president of the senate 10
Article I: Legislative branch
House of Representative
• elected every 2 years
• introduce spending bills
• 25 y/o
• U.S. citizen (at least 7 yrs)
when elected, must be in
state which represents
• 435 members
• 6 states w/1 rep
• Alaska, Delaware, North
Dakota, South Dakota,
Vermont, & Wyoming
• California has the most – 53
Senate
• elected every 6 years
• approve or reject treaties &
presidential nominations for
government offices
• 30 years old
• U.S. citizen (at least 9 yrs)
• Fulfilled residency in the
state that person wishes to
represent
• Power of impeachment
11
The # of representatives to Congress
from each state is based on_________
a.
b.
c.
d.
Land area
Admission date
Number of cities
Total population
12
Term of office for a
member of the House
A. Two years
B. Three years
C. Four years
D. One year
13
Article II:
Executive branch
• Cabinet
• Presidential powers
Secretary of agriculture, labor, health &
human services, housing, transportation,
energy, education, homeland security
14
15
Travels to countries to meet w/heads of foreign governments
Greets distinguished visitors @ White House
Works out treaties/agreements w/other nations
Appoints ambassadors
Serves as the Commander in Chief: send troops
anywhere in the world to protect our interests or
to keep peace in troubled places.
16
A bill becomes a law if it is passed
by the ____________ and signed by
the _______________.
A. Congress, president
B. House of Representatives, Senate
C. Speaker of the House, President of the
Senate
17
Article III:
Judicial--
interprets laws
• Supreme Court
• Judge whether federal, state, & local govts are
acting w/n the law.
• Decide if a president's action is unconstitutional.
• Other federal courts
• Federal courts: Powers derive from U.S. Constitution and federal laws.
• State courts: Powers derive from state constitutions and law
Brown v. Board of Education
18
Body w/power to hear cases
appealed from lower courts
A.
B.
C.
D.
Supreme Court
House of Representatives
Congress
Presidential Party
19
Article IV: relations among
the states.
• Relationship of states to one another and to
national government
• Admission of new states
• Guarantee that national government will
protect states
• Republic—a form of democracy
• Elected representatives make laws and conduct
government
20
Article V
• Amendment process.
• All 27 amendments were proposed by a
two-thirds vote of both houses of
Congress
• Senate
House of Reps
21