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=MDUrw
7j0UA4

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