THE THE CONSTITUTIONCONSTITUTION

SUPREME LAW SUPREME LAW OF THE LANDOF THE LAND

SUPREME LAW SUPREME LAW OF THE LANDOF THE LAND

It represents our belief inIt represents our belief in•Power of govt. comes from the people

•Government power is limited•Ordered, organized and structured govt.

•Representative democracy•Written, May 1787 to Sept. 1787

•7,000 words •Longest lasting constitution in history

Concept 1: Separation of Powers

A way of dividing power among three branches of government in which members of the House of

Representatives, the Senate, the president, and the federal courts are selected by and responsible to

different constituencies.

Cartoon #1Which constitutional principle is represented in this cartoon? What is the message the cartoonist is

trying to get across? What symbols does the cartoonist use?

Legislative Legislative BranchBranch

Executive Executive BranchBranch

Judicial BranchJudicial Branch

3 Branches are separate, have different powers, co-equal 3 Branches are separate, have different powers, co-equal and and checks and balances on one another to make sure one on one another to make sure one

branch does not get to powerfulbranch does not get to powerful

Legislative ChecksOn Executive•Override a veto

•Declare war•impeachmentOn Judicial

•Approve judges•Impeachment

Executive Checks

On Legislative•Veto a law

•Ask for war•Propose lawsOn Judicial

•Appoint judges

Judicial Checks

On Executive and Legislative

•Declare an act of President

or law of Congress unconstitutional

•Appointed for life

3 3 branchesbranches

Concept 2: Checks and Balances

A government structure that gives each of

the three branches of government

some degree of oversight and

control over the actions of the

others

Cartoon #2Which constitutional principle is represented in this cartoon? What is the message the cartoonist is

trying to get across? What symbols does the cartoonist use?

Receive personal copy of the US Constitution

• Feel free to write your ideas on it or highlight its main points!

Art2

WE THE PEOPLE of the United States,

•in order to form a more perfect Union•establish Justice

•ensure domestic Tranquility•provide for the common defense

•promote the general welfare•and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves

and our Posteritydo ordain and establish this Constitution for the

United States of America.

Art1

Article 1Legislative Branch

Makes the law•Section 1--House of Representatives and

Senate•Section 2 & 3---Qualifications for Congress

•Section 4---Elections and Meetings•Section 5---Rules of Order•Section 6---Pay Privileges

•Section 7---How Bills Become LawsSection 7---How Bills Become Laws•Section 8---Powers of Congress

•Section 9---Powers Denied to Congress•Section 10---Powers Denied to States

Article I: Legislative Branch• Spells out powers & duties of the bicameral

legislature• Lists powers given to Congress (Enumerated

powers )• Right to tax• Declare war• Regulate commerce• Create legislation

• “Necessary and proper”a.k.a. elastic clause• Congress is given the right to make all laws that are

necessary and proper to the maintenance of the country

Article 1 Section 8•Makes the law•Power to tax•To coin money

•Regulate foreign and interstate trade•Raise and maintain armed forces

•Declare war•Grant patents and copyrights•Building hydroelectric dams•Interstate highway system

•Prohibit racial discrimination

Powers congress

Art2

Article 2Executive Branch

Signs, carries out or executes the law into action

•Section 1---Qualifications of President & Vice President

•Section 2---Presidential Powers•Section 3---Presidential Duties

•Section 4---Impeachment

Article II: Executive Branch• Defines the powers of the President

• Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces

• “The state of the union”

• Authority to make treaties

• Appoint officials with the advice and consent of the Senate

• “Take care that the laws are faithfully executed”

• Implied powers = President is assumed to have powers and responsibilities not specifically mentioned in the Constitution

Art3

Article 2Executive Power

Powers of pres

President Bush signing a

proposed bill of Congress into

law

Signs or enforces the lawVeto power

Commander in ChiefAsk for a declaration of war

Enter into a treatyGrants pardons and

reprievesAppoints ambassadors,

judges and cabinetCall a special session of

Congress

Art3

Article 3Judicial Branch

Interprets the law (constitution)

•Section 1---Qualifications of Judges

•Section 2---Jurisdiction of Courts•Section 3---Treason

Article III: Judicial Branch• Establishes a Supreme Court and defines its jurisdiction

• Jurisdiction = Authority to hear certain cases

• Congress also given the power to create lower courts

Nevada Supreme Court

chart

Art 4

Article 4Concerning the States

•Section 1---rights and duties of states

•Section 2---rights and liabilities of citizens

•Section 3---admitting new states•Section 4---guarantee to states

Art. 5, 6, 7

Article 5Amending the Constitution---adding on or changing the Constitution---27

Amendments

Article 6Constitution, law of the

land…..Supremacy Clause

Article 7Ratification of Constitution by 9 states

How does this political cartoon illustrate the concept of Article VI?

1. FREEDOM of Religion, Press, Speech, Assembly, Petition

2. RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS

3. No QUARTERING of soldiers in peacetime

4. NO UNREASONABLE SEARCH and SEIZURE

5. PROTECTION of ACCUSED

6. RIGHT TO A SPEEDY, PUBLIC TRIAL BY JURY

7. TRIAL BY JURY IN CIVIL SUITS

8. NO EXCESSIVE FINES or CRUEL PUNISHMENT

9. POWERS RESERVED TO THE PEOPLE

10. POWERS RESERVED TO THE STATES

First First 10 Amendments10 Amendments to the to the Constitution in 1791Constitution in 1791

Rights and freedoms won in Rights and freedoms won in the Revolution are preserved the Revolution are preserved

and protected…and protected…

Bill of rights