United States United States ConstitutionConstitution

The who, what, where, when, The who, what, where, when, why, and how of our why, and how of our

governmentgovernment

The Preamble of the The Preamble of the ConstitutionConstitution

Opening paragraph of the Opening paragraph of the documentdocument

The Preamble – The Preamble – These are the These are the goals of the governmentgoals of the government

The six goals of the The six goals of the Constitution are:Constitution are:

Form a more perfect Form a more perfect union.union.

Establish justice.Establish justice. Insure domestic Insure domestic

tranquility.tranquility. Provide common Provide common

defense.defense. Promote the general Promote the general

welfare.welfare. Secure the blessings of Secure the blessings of

liberty.liberty.

PREAMBLEPREAMBLE

First 52 Words: Most Important: First 52 Words: Most Important: 6 Core Purposes of the Constitution6 Core Purposes of the Constitution

1. Connect the states1. Connect the states 2. Establish justice2. Establish justice 3. Provide Defense3. Provide Defense 4. Promote General Welfare4. Promote General Welfare 5. Ensure Peace5. Ensure Peace 6. Secure Liberty now and for the future6. Secure Liberty now and for the future

The Articles of the U.S. The Articles of the U.S. ConstitutionConstitution

The body of the document orThe body of the document or How the goals of the How the goals of the

Constitution can be metConstitution can be met

Article I – The Legislative BranchArticle I – The Legislative Branch

The purpose of the The purpose of the Legislative branch Legislative branch is is to make lawsto make laws..

The legislative The legislative branch is also branch is also known as known as CongressCongress..

Congress is divided Congress is divided into two houses, into two houses, the the House of House of RepresentativesRepresentatives and the and the SenateSenate. .

The Formation of CongressThe Formation of Congress

The Virginia Plan The Virginia Plan

(Large Population States)(Large Population States)

VersusVersus The New Jersey PlanThe New Jersey Plan

(Small Population States)(Small Population States)

Virginia PlanVirginia Plan Proposed by James Proposed by James

MadisonMadison Called for bicameral Called for bicameral

legislature.legislature. Idea of Proportional Idea of Proportional

Representation.Representation.

Formation of GovernmentFormation of Government

Called for a Strong Called for a Strong National Government National Government

divided into three divided into three governmental governmental

branches.branches.

In additionIn addition Congress would be able to Congress would be able to

veto and override any veto and override any state laws.state laws.

Creation of judiciary Creation of judiciary appointed by legislature.appointed by legislature.

New Jersey PlanNew Jersey Plan

Looking to refine and Looking to refine and amend Articles of amend Articles of

Confederation.Confederation.Believed in the idea of Believed in the idea of

Equal Representation.Equal Representation.

Called for Called for Unicameral Unicameral Legislature.Legislature.

Each State would Each State would have 1 vote.have 1 vote.

Unicameral vs BicameralUnicameral vs Bicameral

Unicameral: Unicameral: Pass laws quickerPass laws quicker No other party to blameNo other party to blame Less representation saves tax dollarsLess representation saves tax dollars Examples: Sweden, ChinaExamples: Sweden, China 115 Unicameral vs 64 Bicameral115 Unicameral vs 64 Bicameral

Bicameral:Bicameral: StabilityStability More varied representationMore varied representation Pass quality legislation with in depth Pass quality legislation with in depth

coveragecoverage U.K. , US examplesU.K. , US examples

Great Compromise/ Great Compromise/ Connecticut CompromiseConnecticut Compromise

First suggested by First suggested by Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Franklin, and Roger Sherman and Roger Sherman worked on over the worked on over the

July 4July 4thth holiday. holiday.

Congress would be Congress would be established with a established with a

bicameral bicameral legislature.legislature.

The House of The House of Representatives would be Representatives would be

elected on the basis of elected on the basis of proportional representation.proportional representation. All revenue and tax bills All revenue and tax bills

would have to originate from would have to originate from here.here.

The Senate would be based on The Senate would be based on the idea of equal the idea of equal representation.representation.

State legislatures would select State legislatures would select Senators due to the fact that Senators due to the fact that founders didn’t believe the founders didn’t believe the people were educated enough people were educated enough to select them.to select them.

Three-Fifths CompromiseThree-Fifths Compromise

Dealt with how to count the Dealt with how to count the slave population of the south- slave population of the south- major sticking point in major sticking point in passing the Constitution.passing the Constitution.

South wanted each slave to South wanted each slave to count as one person.count as one person.

Slave trade would be banned Slave trade would be banned by 1808 by way of compromise.by 1808 by way of compromise.

The vote on the Great The vote on the Great Compromise was won by a Compromise was won by a single vote. single vote.

Never tell me you vote doesn’t Never tell me you vote doesn’t matter!! matter!!

39 Delegates would end up 39 Delegates would end up signing the work.signing the work.

Legislative Powers Granted By the Legislative Powers Granted By the ConstitutionConstitution

Expressed powersExpressed powers – power given to – power given to Congress directly by the ConstitutionCongress directly by the Constitution, , which includes the power to tax, which includes the power to tax, make money, raise an army, make money, raise an army, naturalizing citizens, and the elastic naturalizing citizens, and the elastic clause.clause.

Elastic clauseElastic clause – allows Congress to – allows Congress to make laws “when necessary and make laws “when necessary and proper.”proper.”

113 Congress113 Congress

42 African Americans: House 2 in 42 African Americans: House 2 in SenateSenate

100 Female: 82 in House100 Female: 82 in House 33 Latinos/Hispanic House: 4 Senate33 Latinos/Hispanic House: 4 Senate 8 LGBT8 LGBT Only 19% with military experience Only 19% with military experience

down from 80% in 1977down from 80% in 1977 Highest disapproval rate 83%Highest disapproval rate 83%

13 Asian House 2 in Senate13 Asian House 2 in Senate 2 Native Americans House2 Native Americans House

States in the UnionStates in the Union

05

101520253035404550

States

1st 109th

In over 200 In over 200 years the size of years the size of the United the United States has States has grown from 13 grown from 13 to 50 states to 50 states which has which has altered the altered the landscape and landscape and size of Congress.size of Congress.

Senate (Upper House)Senate (Upper House)

0102030405060708090

100

Senate

1st109th

Each state has Each state has two senators.two senators.

They are elected They are elected and serve in and serve in office for 6 year office for 6 year terms.terms.

There are no term There are no term limits, therefore limits, therefore they can they can continuously run continuously run for re-election.for re-election.

Senate continued…Senate continued…

Every two years one-Every two years one-third of the Senate is third of the Senate is elected. elected.

The minimum age to The minimum age to serve in the Senate is 30 serve in the Senate is 30 years old.years old.

Senate ResponsibilitiesSenate Responsibilities The ability to put on trial anyone The ability to put on trial anyone

in government that has been in government that has been impeached.impeached.

Also the ability to reject, accept or Also the ability to reject, accept or amend bills from the House.amend bills from the House.

Confirm all Presidential nominees Confirm all Presidential nominees to fill seats in governmental to fill seats in governmental offices by a majority vote. offices by a majority vote.

Ex. Supreme Court Justice.Ex. Supreme Court Justice.

House of Representatives House of Representatives (Lower House)(Lower House)

050

100150200250300350400450

House of Reps.

1st 109th

Each state is Each state is guaranteed at guaranteed at least 1 Rep. least 1 Rep.

Initially a body Initially a body of 65 members of 65 members has grown to has grown to 435 members 435 members plus 5 non-plus 5 non-voting voting members.members.

House of Representatives cont…House of Representatives cont…

The minimum age to The minimum age to serve is only 25 years serve is only 25 years

old.old.

Special House Responsibilities Special House Responsibilities The power to initiate revenue The power to initiate revenue

bills imposing taxes and bills on bills imposing taxes and bills on government expenditures.government expenditures.

Impeach governmental officials.Impeach governmental officials. Elect the President in electoral Elect the President in electoral

deadlocks- only happened twice deadlocks- only happened twice in history, both in the early in history, both in the early 1800s. 1800s.

Congressional Powers shared Congressional Powers shared The sole ability to declare war.The sole ability to declare war.To establish and maintain an To establish and maintain an Army and Navy.Army and Navy.

Pass all laws that are necessary Pass all laws that are necessary and proper.and proper.

Propose amendments to the Propose amendments to the Constitution.Constitution.

Article II – The Executive BranchArticle II – The Executive Branch

The purpose of the The purpose of the Executive branch is Executive branch is toto enforce lawsenforce laws..

The Executive The Executive branch is also branch is also known as the known as the PresidentPresident..

Included in the Included in the Executive branch Executive branch are the are the Vice-Vice-PresidentPresident and the and the CabinetCabinet..

Executive Powers Created By the Executive Powers Created By the ConstitutionConstitution

Most power is not Most power is not specifically defined.specifically defined.

President is President is commander-in-chief commander-in-chief of the armed forces.of the armed forces.

Pardon criminals.Pardon criminals. Appoints Appoints

ambassadors.ambassadors. Executes laws Executes laws

passed by Congress. passed by Congress.

Article III – The Judicial BranchArticle III – The Judicial Branch

The purpose of the The purpose of the Judicial branch is Judicial branch is to to interpret lawsinterpret laws..

The Judicial branch The Judicial branch is better known as is better known as the the court systemcourt system..

The most powerful The most powerful court is the court is the Supreme CourtSupreme Court..

Judicial Powers Created By the Judicial Powers Created By the ConstitutionConstitution

Federal courts may Federal courts may only hear cases only hear cases that they have that they have jurisdiction of.jurisdiction of.

Federal cases Federal cases include cases include cases involve…involve…

Federal laws.Federal laws. Issues with foreign Issues with foreign

nations or diplomats.nations or diplomats. Maritime laws.Maritime laws. Issues that involve Issues that involve

the states.the states. Issues that involve Issues that involve

interpretations of interpretations of the U.S. the U.S. Constitution.Constitution.

Article IV – Full Faith and Credit Article IV – Full Faith and Credit ClauseClause

Each state will recognize the sovereignty Each state will recognize the sovereignty of the other states of the other states of the union.of the union.

In other words, each state will recognize In other words, each state will recognize the rules, licenses, and regulations of the the rules, licenses, and regulations of the others.others.

For example, if you get your drivers For example, if you get your drivers license in PA and you move to Tacoma, license in PA and you move to Tacoma, WA, the state of Washington will not WA, the state of Washington will not make you take your drivers test all over make you take your drivers test all over again.again.

Article V – The AmendmentsArticle V – The Amendments

This article provides the process for This article provides the process for amending or amending or “changing” “changing” the the Constitution.Constitution.

It is a difficult process to amend the It is a difficult process to amend the Constitution.Constitution.

To amend the Constitution, a 2/3 To amend the Constitution, a 2/3 majority must approve the majority must approve the amendment and ¾ of the states amendment and ¾ of the states must approve it also.must approve it also.

Article VI – National SupremacyArticle VI – National Supremacy

This article establishes the This article establishes the Supremacy Clause. Supremacy Clause.

If a state or local law comes in If a state or local law comes in conflict with a federal law, the conflict with a federal law, the federal law will prevail. federal law will prevail.

The Constitution is The Constitution is “the law of the “the law of the land.”land.”

Article VII – Ratifying the Article VII – Ratifying the ConstitutionConstitution

““Ratify” mean to approve.Ratify” mean to approve. The people that did not approve of the The people that did not approve of the

Constitution (Constitution (Anti-FederalistsAnti-Federalists) had two ) had two major complaints.major complaints. #1 – There was no freedoms given to the #1 – There was no freedoms given to the

individual that Jefferson called for in the individual that Jefferson called for in the Declaration of Independence.Declaration of Independence.

#2 – There was no one that they could #2 – There was no one that they could trust with the responsibility to be trust with the responsibility to be President.President.

Responding to the ComplaintsResponding to the Complaints

The people that approved of the The people that approved of the Constitution (Constitution (FederalistsFederalists) responded ) responded to the Anti-Federalists complaints.to the Anti-Federalists complaints. They created a Bill of Rights that would They created a Bill of Rights that would

become the first ten amendments to the become the first ten amendments to the Constitution.Constitution.

They volunteered the one person in the They volunteered the one person in the country that everyone would trust and country that everyone would trust and rally behind. Who was it? rally behind. Who was it?

FederalismFederalism

Power is divided Power is divided amongst …amongst …

A federal A federal government.government.

50 state 50 state governments.governments.

Many local Many local governments.governments.

The ArgumentsThe Arguments

Anti-Federalists Stronger state govtStronger state govt Multiple presidentsMultiple presidents Wanted a list of Wanted a list of

people’s individual people’s individual rights listed in the rights listed in the ConstitutionConstitution

Led by John Adams, Led by John Adams, Patrick Henry, and Patrick Henry, and George MasonGeorge Mason

Federalists Stronger federal govt One president Did not see the

necessity in listing individual’s rights because federal power was limited

Led by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay

Separation of Powers vs. Checks Separation of Powers vs. Checks and Balancesand Balances

The The separation of powersseparation of powers is the is the idea that powers are divided up idea that powers are divided up between the three branches of between the three branches of government.government.

Checks and balancesChecks and balances are the are the actions that the branches can act actions that the branches can act upon one another to maintain control upon one another to maintain control so that no branch becomes too so that no branch becomes too powerful.powerful.

Ratification of the ConstitutionRatification of the Constitution

To To ratify or “agree” to ratify or “agree” to the Constitution, the Constitution, nine of nine of the thirteen states had the thirteen states had to agree. Many states to agree. Many states were on board right were on board right away, but two of the away, but two of the biggest states, biggest states, New York New York and Virginiaand Virginia, , held out held out because of their because of their disagreements to the disagreements to the document.document.

After the ConventionAfter the Convention

People for the People for the Constitution “as is” Constitution “as is” were known as the were known as the FederalistsFederalists. They . They were opposed by were opposed by people that people that wanted wanted changes to the changes to the ConstitutionConstitution, , known as the known as the Anti-Anti-FederalistsFederalists. .

versus

Jefferson’s InvolvementJefferson’s Involvement

The anti-federalists wrote to The anti-federalists wrote to JeffersonJefferson in France asking for in France asking for his his interventionintervention in this in this situation.situation.

Jefferson wrote to the Jefferson wrote to the Convention, imploring them Convention, imploring them to consider the words of the to consider the words of the Declaration, Declaration, that all men that all men have inalienable rights that have inalienable rights that must be addressed and must be addressed and protected by the Constitutionprotected by the Constitution..

The AgreementThe Agreement

To reach an agreement, the To reach an agreement, the Federalists included as the Federalists included as the first ten amendments first ten amendments to the to the Constitution Constitution a Bill of Rights, a Bill of Rights, man’s individual rights man’s individual rights against an oppressing against an oppressing governmentgovernment..

As for the leadership, As for the leadership, Alexander Hamilton Alexander Hamilton nominated George nominated George Washington Washington as the one and as the one and only only PresidentPresident. Washington . Washington reluctantly agreed.reluctantly agreed.

The AmendmentsThe Amendments

The changes made to the The changes made to the ConstitutionConstitution

The Bill of RightsThe Bill of Rights These were the personal These were the personal

freedom amendments freedom amendments that had to be that had to be guaranteed to many of guaranteed to many of the Anti-Federalists the Anti-Federalists before they would ratify, before they would ratify, or approve, the or approve, the Constitution.Constitution.

These are the first ten These are the first ten amendments of the amendments of the Constitution.Constitution.

11stst Amendment – Personal Amendment – Personal Freedoms.Freedoms.

22ndnd Amendment – Right to Amendment – Right to bear arms.bear arms.

33rdrd Amendment – Prohibits Amendment – Prohibits housing of soldiers.housing of soldiers.

44thth Amendment – Prohibits Amendment – Prohibits illegal searches and seizures.illegal searches and seizures.

55thth Amendment – Disallows Amendment – Disallows self-incrimination.self-incrimination.

66thth Amendment – Fair and Amendment – Fair and speedy trial.speedy trial.

77thth Amendment – Right to a Amendment – Right to a jury trial.jury trial.

88thth Amendment – Prohibits Amendment – Prohibits cruel and unusual cruel and unusual punishment.punishment.

99thth Amendment – People Amendment – People retain rights not in the bill retain rights not in the bill of rights.of rights.

1010thth Amendment – All Amendment – All powers not granted the powers not granted the federal government is federal government is given to the states.given to the states.

Other Notable AmendmentsOther Notable Amendments

1313thth Amendment – Amendment – outlaws slavery.outlaws slavery.

1414thth Amendment – Amendment – protects people’s legal protects people’s legal rights.rights.

1515thth Amendment – Amendment – protects the right to protects the right to vote based on race.vote based on race.

1919thth Amendment – Amendment – protects women’s protects women’s right to vote.right to vote.

2222ndnd Amendment – Amendment – limits the President to limits the President to two term limits.two term limits.

2424thth Amendment – Amendment – prohibits poll taxes.prohibits poll taxes.

2525thth Amendment – Amendment – establishes an order of establishes an order of authority in case of authority in case of the President’s death.the President’s death.

2626thth Amendment – Amendment – lowers the voting age lowers the voting age to 18.to 18.