The document outlines the key components of the US Constitution and government. It discusses how the Constitution established a federal democratic republic with three branches of government: the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The legislative branch consists of Congress, made up of the House of Representatives and Senate. The judicial branch is headed by the Supreme Court, which has the power of judicial review. The executive branch is led by the President, who serves as both head of state and head of government.

1. Building Blocks of…

2. Constitution
• The Constitution was written in 1787.
• It is the “Supreme law of the land”.
– No Law may contradict it
– No person is exempt from following it
• The Constitution establishes a federal
democratic republic
– We have a union of 50 states, the people
govern themselves, people choose the
representatives, and the government gains its
power from the people.

3. Bill of Rights and Amendments
• The founding fathers wanted to insure that
the rights of all citizens were considered.
• The reasons behind the amendments
were so that all people had a “bill of rights”
that would guarantee them certain
freedoms and immunities.
• More amendments would be added as the
times and issues in America would
change.

5. Important Parts
• Inherent rights
• Self Government
• Separation of powers

6. • Inherent rights: Rights that anyone living in
America has
• Self Government: Government by the
people.
• Seperation of Powers: Branches of
governments with different powers
(Checks and Balances)

7. Inherent Rights

9. Self-Government

10. The Three Types of Government

11. Three types of Government
• Executive
• Legislative
• Judicial

12. Executive
Commander in Chief.
President
Commander of Armed forces in
America
Can sign bills into laws

13. The US President
• Can convene or adjourn (call or close) the
Senate or House of Representatives.
• Power with the Presidents have grown in
recent years.
• President can “over ride” Congress in
certain circumstances in regards to war.
• The President can serve _____ years as
President.
• Has the power to uphold and enforce US
Laws

14. Brown v. Board of Education

15. Legislative Branch

16. Legislative Branch of
Government
• Also called Congress
• Consists of two houses: The House and
the Senate
• Consists of 535 voting members: 435
Representatives and 100 Senators

17. Legislative Branch of
Government
• Each state has at least TWO Senators
• Each state has at least ONE House
representative, depending on population
• Each senator serves a six year term,
which every two years allowing the
senator to be up for re-election.
• The house elects a Speaker (presiding
officer). Who delegates duties to those
under him or her

18. John Boehner, Chuck Schumer,
Kristen Gillibrand

19. Senate and the House Powers
• Senate can consent
to treaties.
• Confirming the
appointment of
cabinet members,
federal judges, and
other important
figures.
• Can also trial
impeached officials.
• The house can pass
federal legislature that
affects the entire
country.
• The house can create
taxes.
• Impeach officials.
• Can elect a president
if there is no majority
in the electoral
college.

20. Senate and the House of Representatives both
reside in the Capital Building

21. Filibuster
• What is a filibuster?
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDUrw7j0U

22. Judicial Branch

23. The US Supreme Court
•
•
•
•
Highest federal court in the United States
It has jurisdiction over all courts in the US
Final interpreter of Constitutional Law
Consists of eight judges and one chief
Justice- 9 judges total
• Once appointed, the Supreme Court
judges stay for life…UNLESS

24. The US Supreme Court
•
•
•
•
They die
They retire
Take senior status
Or can be impeached (This has never
happened).
• And the judges are categorized by being
conservative, moderate, or liberal in terms
of the law.

25. The Roberts Court