US Constitution

1. US History /
Mr. PalmerTHE CONSTITUTION

2. - Creates our government
- Supreme law of the land
- Creates three branches of government
- Guide to how our government works
- Fun fact: Oldest written constitution in the world that is still in
use
US CONSTITUTION

3. - 1st part out of 9 parts
- Explains the Constitution’s purpose
- “We the people…” contains the idea of self-government
PREAMBLE

4. - Legislative branch
- Legislative: law making
- Legislative branch is very
important in a government that
represents the citizens
- Legislature: law-making body
- Congress = House of
Representatives and Senate
- Turns the wants and needs of
citizens into laws
ARTICLE I: CONGRESS

5. - Executive branch
- Execute: carry out a law
- Includes departments that
carry out government’s day-
to-day business (IRA, FBI,
FDA, etc.)
- Explains who can be
president
ARTICLE II: THE PRESIDENT

6. - Judicial branch
- Interpret the law (Supreme court, federal courts, local courts,
etc.)
ARTICLE III: COURTS

7. - Describes how the states should interact with each other
- States have the power to create and enforce their own laws
- However, all states are subject to federal laws
- Examples
- Respect laws of other states
- Extradition: returning criminals
- New states approved by Congress and President
- Must have a representative government (republican)
ARTICLE IV: THE STATES

8. - Describes how to the Constitution can be changed
- Amendment: change or addition to the Constitution
- Do you think the Founding Fathers
made it easy or difficult to amend
the Constitution?
ARTICLE V: AMENDMENTS

9. - Federalism: national government shares power with the state
governments
- If a state law disagrees with federal law, FEDERAL LAW WINS
- Why do you think Federal law should
be above state laws?
ARTICLE VI: SUPREME LAW

10. - Ratify: approve or pass an amendment
- 9 out of 13 states had to approve
- Getting approval wasn’t easy
- Some thought 7 articles was not enough
- Agreed to Ten Amendments added to the Constitution
- Bill of Rights
- Listed rights not mentioned in the Constitution
ARTICLE VII: RATIFICATION

11. Does the Constitution provide for a
strong central government?
HMMMM…