US Life

amendments

27

articles

7

article 1

legislative branch

article 2

executive branch

article 3

judiciary branch

article 4

creation of states

article 5

amendments

article 6

oaths, debts, supremacy

article 7

ratification

Bill of Rights

10 first amendments, civil liberties and rights of individuals

function of constitution

was written to protect citizens and also the states. It ensures rights, prevents the federal government from infringing on these rights, and creates laws

Seven Principles of the Constitution

1. popular sovereignty 2. republicanism, 3. federalism, 4. separation of powers, 5. check and balances,6. limited government, 7. individual rights

popular sovereignty

rule by the people=The people can elect members to Congress and can choose the president.

what is found in the Preamble

the idea of popular sovereignty

republicanism

the right to vote for representatives, the power rests with citizens who can vote. Then, elected representatives use their power to make laws.

article 4: what does it grant?

republican form of government

federalism

power is shared between the federal (central, national) and state governments

separation of powers

legislative, executive, judicial branch

Legislative branch

makes the laws and has the power to pass, change, and repeal laws.

Congress

House of Representatives+ Senate

Executive branch

President, carries out the laws and is responsible for running the government day to day.

Judicial branch

Courts and judges, branch interprets the laws and settles arguments

check and balances

Each of the three branches has the power to check or control the powers of the other branches so thus no one branch of the government can be too powerful.

limited government

everyone is bound by the U.S. Constitution.

individual rights

individual rightspersonal freedoms are guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and cannot be taken away by the central government.

amendment 1

freedom of religion, speech, assemble, press, petition, media access

amendment 2

right to keep and bear arms

amendment 3

No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house

amendment 4

secure against unreasonable search and seizure shall not be violated,

amendment 5

; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law

amendment 6

the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury

amendment 7

right to a jury trails in federal civil cases

amendment 8

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

amendment 9

there are also other rights

amendment 10

The Federal Government only has those powers delegated in the Constitution. If it isn’t listed, it belongs to the states or to the people

treaties with other nations- which branch

president + 2/3s vote of the Senate

selects many people to serve the government: ambassadors, members of the Supreme Court and the federal courts, and cabinet secretaries

president+ approval of Senate

patronage

Sometimes appointments to ambassadorships are given as a reward for faithful service to the president's political party or for significant campaign contributions

proposes legislation

president

veto power

veto powerpresident; to override -2/3 of both Houses

calls Congress into special session

president

grants pardons for federal crimes

president

commander in chief of the armed forces

president

House of Representatives

2 years

Senate

6 years

27 specific, enumerated powers

Congress

collect taxes

Congress

coin money

Congress

declare war

Congress

support an army and navy

Congress

regulate foreign and domestic commerce

Congress

establish lower federal courts

Congress

admit new states to the Union,

Congress

propose amendments to the Constitution

Congress

Implied powers

are not stated directly in the Constitution

seats in the House

435