U.S. ConstitutionU.S. ConstitutionPower Point ProjectPower Point Project

Roobina NajarianRoobina NajarianKatherine NazarianKatherine Nazarian

Period 2Period 2December 2009December 2009

The Bill of RightsThe Bill of Rights The first amendments of the The first amendments of the

United States.United States. They were introduced by James They were introduced by James

Madison to the first Congress of Madison to the first Congress of the United States in 1789 as the United States in 1789 as Articles.Articles.

They were approved on December They were approved on December 15, 1791.15, 1791.

They were ratified by ¾ of the They were ratified by ¾ of the states.states.

It gave people freedoms of It gave people freedoms of speech, religion, press, petition speech, religion, press, petition and assembly.and assembly.

The Bill of rights’ purpose is to The Bill of rights’ purpose is to protect people’s rights and make protect people’s rights and make sure the government does not act sure the government does not act unfair to people.unfair to people.

It explained that people had It explained that people had natural rights that the natural rights that the government could not take away government could not take away from them.from them.

1818thth and 21 and 21stst Amendments Amendments The 18The 18thth and the 21 and the 21stst both both

talk about alcohol.talk about alcohol. The 21The 21stst Amendments is a Amendments is a

changed version of the 18changed version of the 18thth.. The 18The 18thth amendment amendment

banned the selling and banned the selling and making of alcoholmaking of alcohol

The 21The 21stst Amendment Amendment allowed the selling and allowed the selling and making of alcohol.making of alcohol.

So basically the 21So basically the 21stst amendment is an improved amendment is an improved version of the 18version of the 18thth amendment.amendment.

Legislative BranchLegislative Branch This branch made the laws.This branch made the laws. The law created by a The law created by a

legislature is called legislation legislature is called legislation or statutory law.or statutory law.

Legislative branch is the Legislative branch is the Congress.Congress.

It has the power to raise It has the power to raise taxes.taxes.

It has one or more houses.It has one or more houses. The House of Representatives The House of Representatives

is made of 435 members.is made of 435 members. The Senate has two senators The Senate has two senators

per state, which is 100 per state, which is 100 senators.senators.

Executive BranchExecutive Branch

The executive branch is made up ofThe executive branch is made up of Commander in chief, head Commander in chief, head of state, chief of staff, chief executive, and chief legislatureof state, chief of staff, chief executive, and chief legislature..

The executive branch is responsible for carrying out the laws The executive branch is responsible for carrying out the laws that Congress makes.that Congress makes.

The Vice President and the Presidents cabinet also run the The Vice President and the Presidents cabinet also run the Executive Branch. Executive Branch.

Judicial BranchJudicial Branch The judicial branch is ran by the supreme court.The judicial branch is ran by the supreme court. The judiciary system interprets and applies the laws.The judiciary system interprets and applies the laws. The judicial branch works to ensure equal justice The judicial branch works to ensure equal justice

under law.under law. The judicial branch has the power to change laws.The judicial branch has the power to change laws.

Separation of PowersSeparation of Powers The separation of powers is The separation of powers is

basically giving all the branches basically giving all the branches of the government equal of the government equal powers.powers.

It separates the government It separates the government into three branches.into three branches.

The legislative, executive, and The legislative, executive, and the judicial branch.the judicial branch.

The legislative branch is The legislative branch is responsible for making laws.responsible for making laws.

The executive branch is The executive branch is responsible for carrying out the responsible for carrying out the laws that the legislative branch laws that the legislative branch makes.makes.

The judicial branch is The judicial branch is responsible for explaining and responsible for explaining and interpreting all the laws that get interpreting all the laws that get approved.approved.

Checks and BalancesChecks and Balances The Checks and balances The Checks and balances

system was made so that system was made so that one government would one government would not have too much power.not have too much power.

Checks and balances Checks and balances allows for a system based allows for a system based regulation that allows one regulation that allows one branch to limit another, branch to limit another, such as the power of such as the power of Congress to alter the Congress to alter the composition and composition and jurisdiction of the federal jurisdiction of the federal courts.courts.

Electoral CollegeElectoral College The electoral college is The electoral college is

made up of popularly made up of popularly elected representatives.elected representatives.

They vote for the They vote for the President and the Vice President and the Vice President.President.

Since 1964 U.S. has had Since 1964 U.S. has had 538 electors in each 538 electors in each presidential election.presidential election.

Instead of voting directly Instead of voting directly for a president, the people for a president, the people of the U.S. vote for of the U.S. vote for electors who later on vote electors who later on vote for the President and the for the President and the Vice President. Vice President.

The Great CompromiseThe Great Compromise A compromise reached on

June 29th, 1787 in Philadelphia combining the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan.

When it appeared that the Constitutional Convention would break up the delegates began to make compromises on important issues.

This plan proposed a one-house national legislature with representatives selected by state legislatures. Each state will be able to cast one vote.

The larger state supports the The larger state supports the Virginia plan.Virginia plan.

The smaller states support the The smaller states support the New Jersey plan.New Jersey plan.

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