Transcript The Preamble Defines the Constitution’s Basic Goals

The Preamble Defines the Constitution’s Basic Goals
To form
a more
Chapter
8, Section
1
perfect
union
The states work together as one unified nation, not as
separate nations.
To establish justice
The justice system requires that the law be applied fairly
to every American.
To ensure domestic
tranquillity
The government can ensure domestic tranquillity, or
peace and order at home.
To provide for the common
defense
To protect citizens against foreign attack, the national
government can raise armies and navies. However, the
military is under civilian, or nonmilitary, control.
To promote the general
welfare
The national government promotes the general welfare,
or the well-being of all its citizens.
To secure the blessing of
liberty
A major goal of the Constitution is to protect the liberty,
or freedom, of Americans.
Preamble—opening statement
The Articles Describe a Framework of Government
Chapter 8, Section 1
Article I
Describes the legislative branch. Establishes powers and limits on Congress.
Article II
Describes the executive branch. Establishes powers and limits of the President.
Article III
Describes the judicial branch. Establishes powers and limits of the courts.
Article IV
Explains relations between the states. Requires states to honor one another’s
laws. Sets out a system for admitting new states.
Article V
Provides a process for amending the Constitution.
Article VI
Says the Constitution is the “supreme law of the land.” No state law may violate
the Constitution.
The Legislative Branch: Congress
House of Representatives
• 435 members
• Number of representatives for a
state is based on that state’s
population
• 2-year terms
• Presiding officer is the Speaker.
Chapter 8, Section 2
Legislative Branch: Congress
Senate - 100 members
• Two senators per state
• 6-year terms
• President of the Senate is the Vice
President of the United States –
Joe Biden.
Powers of Congress
• To make laws
• To declare war
• To levy taxes
• To borrow money
• To coin money
• To establish post offices
Chapter 8, Section 2
How a Bill Becomes a Law
Chapter 8, Section 2
Bill—a proposal for a law
Executive Branch – Powers of
the President
Chapter 8, Section 2
• To carry out the nation’s laws
• To direct foreign policy
• To make treaties
• To appoint Supreme Court
Justices, Cabinet officers,
ambassadors
Powers of the President
•To act as Commander in Chief
of the armed forces
•To suggest new laws and
work for their passage
•Can grant pardons
Electing the President
• The President is elected for a
4-year term.
• The President can only serve
for two terms.
• The President is elected by the
electoral college.
Chapter 8, Section 2
•When Americans vote for
President, they are really voting for
a group of electors pledged to the
candidate.
•Electoral College – Electors from
each state are equal to the number
of US Senators (2) + the number of
US Representatives (number of
state’s Congressional Districts)
•A few weeks after election, electors
meet in each state to vote for
President and Vice –President.
Results are sent to US Congress
•The candidate who receives a
majority of the 538 electoral votes
becomes President, regardless of the
outcome of the popular vote.
Chapter 8, Section 2
One branch
President
Chapter
8, Section 2
checks another branch
by doing the following
Congress
vetoing, or rejecting, bills Congress has passed
Congress
President
overriding, or overruling, the President’s veto
Congress
President
approving or disapproving Presidential appointments
Congress
President
ratify or not ratify treaties the President has
negotiated
Congress
President
The House can impeach, or bring charges of
wrongdoing against, the President. The Senate then
conducts a trial.
Supreme
President and Congress
declaring laws unconstitutional
Only Congress has the power to
a) make foreign policy.
b) declare war.
c) decide cases involving
federal laws.
d) select electors.
Chapter 8, Section 2
Only the President has the
power to
a) make foreign policy.
b) declare war.
c) decide cases involving
federal laws.
d) select electors.
First Amendment
Safeguards individual rights—freedom of religion, speech, the
press, the right to assemble peacefully, the right to petition the
government to change its policies.
Second Amendment
“A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a
free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall
not be infringed.”
Third Amendment
Congress may not force citizens to put up troops in their
homes.
Fourth Amendment
Citizens are protected from unlawful searches of their homes
and property.
Fifth Amendment
People cannot be forced to incriminate, or give evidence
against, themselves.
Chapter 8, Section 3
Bill of Rights
Sixth Amendment
People are guaranteed the right to a speedy and public
trial by a fair jury. The accused have a right to know
the charges against them and who is making the
charges.
Seventh
Amendment
Provides for juries in civil, or non criminal, trials.
Eighth Amendment
Forbids excessive bail or fines and “cruel and unusual
punishments.”
Ninth Amendment
Citizens’ rights are not limited to those listed in the
Constitution.
Tenth Amendment
All powers not given to the national government or
denied to the states are reserved for the states or for
the people.