The ConstitutionThe Constitution The Constitution is the The Constitution is the

supreme law of the landsupreme law of the land

PreamblePreamble The introduction to the Constitution is The introduction to the Constitution is

called the Preamble.called the Preamble. The Preamble begins with the phrase The Preamble begins with the phrase

“We the people…”“We the people…” This means that the government is based This means that the government is based

on the consent of the people. on the consent of the people.

AmendmentAmendment A change in the ConstitutionA change in the Constitution There have been 27 amendments to the There have been 27 amendments to the

Constitution.Constitution. The first 10 amendments are called the Bill The first 10 amendments are called the Bill

of Rights.of Rights.

The Branches of GovernmentThe Branches of Government There are three branches of government:There are three branches of government: 1. The legislative - which makes the laws1. The legislative - which makes the laws 2. The executive - which enforces the laws 2. The executive - which enforces the laws

or make sure the laws are carried outor make sure the laws are carried out 3. The judicial - which interprets the laws or 3. The judicial - which interprets the laws or

explains the laws and makes sure they are explains the laws and makes sure they are fairfair

Legislative BranchLegislative Branch The legislative branch is called Congress The legislative branch is called Congress

and is made up of two Houses (parts): and is made up of two Houses (parts): The House of Representatives and The House of Representatives and the Senate.the Senate.

The House of RepresentativesThe House of Representatives States with the largest populations have States with the largest populations have

the most representatives in the House.the most representatives in the House. House members must be at least 25 years House members must be at least 25 years

old or older to serve. old or older to serve. House members are elected to a two year House members are elected to a two year

term.term. There are 435 members in the House of There are 435 members in the House of

Representatives. Representatives.

The SenateThe Senate The Senate is the other part of the The Senate is the other part of the

CongressCongress There are two senators for each state, There are two senators for each state,

which means of course there are 100 which means of course there are 100 Senators.Senators.

Senators must be at least 30 years old.Senators must be at least 30 years old. Senators are elected to a six year term.Senators are elected to a six year term.

The Executive BranchThe Executive Branch The executive branch is headed by the The executive branch is headed by the

president.president. The president is the commander-in-chief The president is the commander-in-chief

of the armed forces.of the armed forces.

The PresidentThe President The president is elected to a four year The president is elected to a four year

term.term. The president can only serve two terms.The president can only serve two terms. The president must be a citizen by birthThe president must be a citizen by birth The president must be at least 35 years The president must be at least 35 years

old.old.

The Judicial BranchThe Judicial Branch The Judicial Branch of the federal The Judicial Branch of the federal

government is headed by the Supreme government is headed by the Supreme Court.Court.

Supreme Court justices are nominated by Supreme Court justices are nominated by the president and approved by the Senate. the president and approved by the Senate.

There are 9 Supreme Court justices, who There are 9 Supreme Court justices, who are appointed for life. are appointed for life.

Checks and BalancesChecks and Balances The framers of the Constitution The framers of the Constitution

established a system of checks and established a system of checks and balances to prevent any branch balances to prevent any branch government from getting too powerful. government from getting too powerful.

Example: Congress has the right to pass Example: Congress has the right to pass bills into law, but the president can veto bills into law, but the president can veto them, which means the bill does not them, which means the bill does not become a law.become a law.

More examplesMore examples If the president vetoes a law, the Congress If the president vetoes a law, the Congress

can override his veto by a 2/3 majority. can override his veto by a 2/3 majority. The Supreme Court can say that any law The Supreme Court can say that any law

is unconstitutional. The law no longer is unconstitutional. The law no longer exists. exists.

FederalismFederalism The power of government is also split The power of government is also split

between the states and the federal between the states and the federal government. government.

This is called Federalism.This is called Federalism. If the Constitution does not have a law, the If the Constitution does not have a law, the

states can do what they want. states can do what they want. State law cannot contradict federal law.State law cannot contradict federal law.

Dual SovereigntyDual Sovereignty Dual Sovereignty means that whatever the Dual Sovereignty means that whatever the

federal government does not make a law federal government does not make a law about, the states can act however they about, the states can act however they choose.choose.

That is why there is different state laws That is why there is different state laws regarding the age of drinking alcohol, regarding the age of drinking alcohol, driving, the death penalty, and many more.driving, the death penalty, and many more.

Delegated vs Reserved Delegated vs Reserved PowersPowers

Delegated (Enumerated) Powers: only Delegated (Enumerated) Powers: only given to the Federal Government given to the Federal Government (Example: Declare War, Establish Post (Example: Declare War, Establish Post Offices) Offices)

Reserved Powers: given to the States Reserved Powers: given to the States (Examples: Gun Ownership Laws, Laws (Examples: Gun Ownership Laws, Laws concerning Marriage)concerning Marriage)