Practicing Citizenship

Principles of Government1. The U. S. Constitution is the highest law in the United States.

• 2. Many of the key ideas of America’s government came from the ancient Greece and Rome.

• 3. The U.S. has a representative government, this means that citizens vote for officials who serve the will of the people. The government must act in the people’s interests and protect their rights.

• 4. Our Constitution created a federal system of government. The central, or federal, government is the highest authority.

• 5. The federal government is split into three equal parts, or branches. Each branch has its own specific powers, an idea called separation of powers.

• 6. This concept was adopted so that no one branch could become too powerful.

• 7. The following diagram shows this system of checks and balances:

• 8. The three branches of government are: • A. The Legislative Branch• B. The Judicial Branch• C. The Executive Branch• 9. The Legislative Branch: Known as the U.S.

Congress. It passes laws for the whole country.• 10. The Executive Branch: includes the office of the

U.S. President.

• 11. The Judicial Branch: includes the U.S. Supreme Court and various lesser courts. The judges in the judicial branch use the Constitution to interpret laws.

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, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the Untied States of American

• There are 7 Articles to the U.S. Constitution.• 1. Article I: All legislative powers are vested in a

Congress of the U.S.• 2. Article II: The executive power shall be vested in

a President of the U.S.• 3. Article III: The judicial power shall be vested in

one supreme court and in inferior courts• 4. Article IV: Rights to each state within the Union• 5. Article V: Congress shall propose Amendment to

the Constitution

• 6. Article VI: All debts contracted and engagements entered into

• 7. Article VII: The ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

• 8. There are XXVI Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

• 1. Amendment I: Freedom of speech, religion, press, assemble and petition to government

• 2. Amendment II: Freedom to bear arms• 3. Amendment III: No quartering of soldiers in the

time of peace.• 4. Amendment IV: The right of reasonable searches

and seizures• 5. Amendment V: Right to remain silent, double

jeopardy

• 6. Amendment VI: Right to a speedy trial• 7. Amendment VII: Right to a trial by jury• 8. Amendment VIII: Cruel an unusual punishment

shall not be imposed.• 9. Amendment IX: The enumeration of the

Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

• 10. Amendment X: State rights

• 11. Amendment XI: The judicial power of the U.S. shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state.

• 12. Amendment XII: The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice President.

• 13. Amendment XIII: Abolishment of slavery

• 14. Amendment XIV: All persons born in the U.S. are considered U.S. citizens.

• 15. Amendment XV: The right to vote no matter race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

• 16. Amendment XVI: The right for Congress to lay and collect taxes.

• 17. Amendment XVII: States rights to select two senators for a six year term.

• 18. Amendment XVIII: The sale of liquors are against the law.

• 19. Amendment XIX: The right to vote on account of sex.

• 20. Amendment XX: Terms of the President, assemble of Congress, Vice President shall take over office in case of death

• 21. Amendment XXI: Repealed Amendment XVIII.

• 22. Amendment XXII: No person shall be elected to the office of President more than twice.

• 23. Amendment XXIII: Gives the people in the (District) the right to vote.

• 24. Amendment XXIV: The right to vote even though taxes were not paid.

• 25. Amendment XXV: Vacancy of the Office of the Presidency.

• 26. Amendment 26: Right to vote at 18 years of age.