The Constitution of the United States

• Document that tells basic rules and explains rights of a US citizen

• Written 200 years ago• Written to unite all the

13 colonies

Constitution

• 57 men helped write it in 1787

• Ratified by the states in 1788

• It has 7 sections called Articles telling how the government works

The Bill of Rights• First 10 amendments• It guaranteed certain

freedoms and rights• Added after the

Constitution• Freedom of Speech• Freedom of Religion• Freedom to Assemble

Amendments

• Amendments change the Constitution

• 2/3 of both the Senate and House of Representatives must approve

• 3/4 of all states must approve

Federal Government

• Federal government deals with matters that affect the whole country– Defense

– Transportation

– Postal Delivery

– Federal Taxes

Three Separate Branches

• Each branch has power to check the others

Federal GovernmentExecutive Branch

• Executive: Power to carry out laws• The President is head of the Executive Branch • Commander in Chief of nation’s army • Elected to a four year term• Approves the laws that

congress makes• Proposed national budget• Can veto a bill

Federal GovernmentLegislative Branch

House of Representatives•Number according to state’s population•Representative must live in the state they represent•25 years or older•US Citizen for 7 years•Elected to 2 year term

Senate•Each state has 2•Senators must live in the state they represent •30 years or older•Citizen of the U.S. for 9 years•Elected to 6 year term

Legislative Branch has the power to make laws

Federal Government Judicial Branch

• Judicial: Power to interpret laws• Judicial Branch applies national laws• Make up of the court system• Highest is the Supreme Court

- appointed for life terms• Lowest levels are

Justice of Peace • Gets its powers from

Article III of the Constitution

What is a Citizen?• Two kinds of citizens• Native-born citizens

– Born here

– Children of American citizens born while visiting other countries

• Naturalized citizens– Have to be at least 18

– From other countries

– Lived here 5 years to qualify

– 3 years if they’re married to an American citizen

Citizen’s Rights• Countries protect their citizens and

give them rights • Naturalized and Native-born citizens

have the same rights, except one• Naturalized citizens can’t run for

president• Citizens can vote• Freedom of Religion• Freedom of Speech• Freedom of the Press

Citizen’s Responsibilities

• Duty to obey the law• Vote in elections• To pay taxes• If the country is at

war, citizens may be called to serve in the armed forces

• Serve on a jury if called