Creating a Republic Part 3(A) The Constitution of the United States of America

Creating a RepublicCreating a Republic

Part 3(A)Part 3(A)

The Constitution of the The Constitution of the United States of AmericaUnited States of America

The U.S. is a RepublicThe U.S. is a RepublicThe United States is a REPUBLIC

which uses democracy. In a REPUBLIC, the people choose

representatives to govern them. It is up to the people to make the

government work for them. If it is not working, it is their

responsibility to change it.

5 Key Principles of the 5 Key Principles of the ConstitutionConstitution

Popular SovereigntyPopular Sovereignty Limited GovernmentLimited Government FederalismFederalism Separation of PowersSeparation of Powers Checks and BalancesChecks and Balances

Popular Sovereignty:Popular Sovereignty:

The people hold the final authority of

power.

Limited GovernmentLimited Government

The government is not all powerful, but can

do only what the people say it can do.

FederalismFederalism

The division of power between the national government and state

governments.

Separation of PowersSeparation of Powers

Division of the operations of the

national government into 3 branches, each with their own powers and responsibilities.

Checks and BalancesChecks and Balances

The ability of each branch of the national government to check, or control the power of the other two branches.

The PreambleThe Preamble" We the People of the United States,

in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic

Tranquility, provide for the common defence(sic), promote the general

Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,

do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of

America. "

The 7 Articles of the ConstitutionThe 7 Articles of the Constitution

#1 – The Legislative Branch#1 – The Legislative Branch #2 – The Executive Branch#2 – The Executive Branch #3 – The Judicial Branch#3 – The Judicial Branch #4 – The States#4 – The States #5 – Amendment Process#5 – Amendment Process #6 – Debts, Supremacy, #6 – Debts, Supremacy,

OathsOaths #7 – Ratification#7 – Ratification

Our constitution has worked because it is a living

document. No other written constitution in the world has

lasted as long as ours. In fact, many nations have used our

constitution as a model as they have set up their own

governments.

Americans were the first people to write a constitution setting up a

government. Yet many ideas in the Constitution had come from other

sources.

Some Americans looked at the League of the Iroquois, and

how the different tribes had united.

Ideas were also borrowed from Europe, particularly from two

different philosophers.

*Englishman John Locke

*Frenchman Baron de Montesquieu

John Locke 1632-1704John Locke 1632-1704 All people have the All people have the

right to right to life, life, liberty, and liberty, and propertyproperty..

If rulers violate If rulers violate peoples’ rights, the peoples’ rights, the people should people should rebel and change rebel and change the leadershipthe leadership..

Montesquieu 1689-1755Montesquieu 1689-1755

Believed in Believed in dividing the dividing the government into government into 3 3 different different branchesbranches..

““SEPARATION SEPARATION OF POWERS”.OF POWERS”.

FederalismFederalismMany people debated about how to divide power between states and the national government.

The sharing of power between the two is called FEDERALISM.

Some Some powers are powers are

shared, shared, while others while others

are not.are not.

The Federal Government is made up of The Federal Government is made up of 3 Branches that have individual 3 Branches that have individual

powers, duties, and responsibilities.powers, duties, and responsibilities.

The idea that each branch of The idea that each branch of government has rights and government has rights and

responsibilities, and some control over responsibilities, and some control over the other two, is known as:the other two, is known as:

SEPARATION OF POWERSSEPARATION OF POWERS..

Legislative Branch – The CongressLegislative Branch – The Congress

LEGISLATIVE BRANCHLEGISLATIVE BRANCH — The Congress — The Congress

Legislative BranchLegislative Branch Members of the House of Members of the House of

Representatives serve Representatives serve 2 year terms2 year terms and Senators serve and Senators serve 6 year terms6 year terms..

Their main function is to make laws.Their main function is to make laws. They also have the power to collect They also have the power to collect

taxes and to regulate foreign and taxes and to regulate foreign and domestic trade.domestic trade.

They also have power to declare war.They also have power to declare war.

Below are the two houses of Congress.Below are the two houses of Congress.When the flag flies, they are in session.When the flag flies, they are in session.

House of Representatives

The Senate

The House of RepresentativesThe House of Representatives

The SenateThe Senate

Executive Executive BranchBranch

______

TheThePresidentPresident

Executive BranchExecutive Branch Made up of the President and Vice Made up of the President and Vice

President and presidential advisers.President and presidential advisers. Elected to a Elected to a 4 year term4 year term, and , and may may

be re-elected oncebe re-elected once.. Carries out laws passed by Congress.Carries out laws passed by Congress. Commander in Chief of armed forces, Commander in Chief of armed forces,

and is responsible for foreign and is responsible for foreign relations.relations.

South Lawn of the White House

North Portico of the White House

Judicial BranchJudicial Branch The Supreme Court and other federal The Supreme Court and other federal

courts courts hear cases that involve the hear cases that involve the Constitution or any lawsConstitution or any laws passed by passed by Congress.Congress.

They also hear They also hear cases arising cases arising between two or more statesbetween two or more states..

Courts also Courts also interpret lawsinterpret laws, and , and make sure they are make sure they are fair and/or fair and/or legallegal..

The 11 Judicial Circuits in the U. S.The 11 Judicial Circuits in the U. S.

The 11 Circuit Courts are further divided into 94 The 11 Circuit Courts are further divided into 94 District Courts.District Courts.

The Supreme Court of the U. S.The Supreme Court of the U. S.

The Nine Justices – 2010The Nine Justices – 2010

Inner Chamber of the U. S. Supreme Court

Qualifications to be a:Qualifications to be a:

*Representative*Representative*Senator*Senator

*President*President*Supreme Court Justice *Supreme Court Justice

Office Number Term Selection Requirements

Member of the House of Reps.

At least one per state based on population

2 Years

Elected by voters in 435 Congressional districts.

*Age 25*Citizen for 7 years*Resident of the state running in

Senator Two per state

6 Years

Originally chosen by state legislatures, now by voters

*Age 30*Citizen for 9 years*Resident of the state running in

President and Vice President

One 4 Years

Elected by the Electoral College

*Age 35*Natural Born Citizen*14 Year Resident

Supreme Court Justice

Nine Life Appointed by the President, approved by the Senate

*No specific requirements in the U. S. Constitution