The Development of the Government of the United States
Federalism and the Constitution
The power is divided between the state and national government.
The Constitution is the supreme law of the land.
The Constitution
Separation of Powers
The power is divided between the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branch.
One branch does not have more power than the other.
Balance of Power
Checks and Balances
US Government
ExecutiveBranch
LegislativeBranch
JudicialBranch
The Powers of government are divided equally, but each branch of power is able to check on the other. The Government is not able to abuse its power.
The Constitution- a contract between the people and its government
The Preamble-lists six goals for the government
JusticeDefenseLibertyUnityPeace Posterity
PosterityPosterity
UnityUnity
JusticeJustice
DefenseDefense
LibertyLiberty
PeacePeace
ConstitutionConstitution
Amendment ProcessProposing an amendment
Proposed by 2/3 vote from the Senate and House of Representatives.
A national convention requested by 2/3 of state legislature.
Amendment ProcessRatifying an amendment (changing the Constitution)
¾ of the state legislature needed to approve the amendment.
Ratified by specially called convention in at least ¾ of the states.
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Structure of Congress
Congress
Senate(100)
US House ofRepresentatives
(435)
The House of RepresentativesRequirements
A rep. must be 25 yrs and citizen for 7yrs.
Each term is 2 years.
It is determined by the population of the state.
The census that takes place every ten years determines the population number.
Apportionment is the distribution of the number of representatives
The Senate Requirements
Each State has two Senators.
A Senator must be 30 years.
A resident for 9 years.
Term of Office is 6 years.
CA. Sen. Barbara Boxer
CA. Sen. Dianne Feinstein
Congressional Powers are delegated by the Constitution
BorrowingPowers
CurrencyPowers
NaturalizationProcess
Weights &
Measures
PostalService
CopyrightPowers
WarPowers
CommercePowers
BankruptcyPowers
Tax Powers
DelegatedPowers
Impeachment(Nonlegislative Powers)
Impeachment Powers are to remove someone from office.
The Representatives need a majority to remove someone from power.
The Senate needs 2/3 vote to convict and to remove someone from office.
The Party Leadership
The head of the Senate is called President of the Senate. The position belongs to Vice-President.
VP Joe Biden
The Party Leadership
The House of Representatives is
led by the Speaker of the House.
Whoever is in power chooses the Speaker.
Congressman John Boehner
2013 Speaker of the House
Executive Branch
Requirements for President
Natural born citizen
Lived in US for 14 years
Must be 35 years old
President Barack Obama
Number Of Terms
Term of Office is 4 years
Maximum 2 terms
Oval Office
Electoral College
President is chosen by Electoral College.
Electors are chosen by each state which is the total number of Representatives and Senators.
The White House The president works
from the Oval Office.
Chief of Staff directs the staff.
Personal Secretary
Chief Counsel advises on law.
Press Secretary releases info. to the press.
The White House
The Cabinet
It is an advisory board that advises the president.
Former Secretary Of StateHillary Clinton
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel
JUDICIAL BRANCH
FOUNDATION OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM
The courts receive their powers from the Constitution.
Federal judges and Supreme Court Justices serve for life.
Judges are appointed by the president and approved by The Senate.
Jurisdictions
The right to interpret and apply the law.Supreme Court Building
The Supreme Court
9 Justices and one is a Chief Justice The Supreme Court is highest court of the land They rule if the law is constitutional.
Supreme Court Justices