The document provides an overview of the US Constitution and national government. It explains that the Articles of Confederation created a weak central government with states having separate powers, which led to economic problems. This prompted the creation of the US Constitution to establish a stronger federal government consisting of three branches: the legislative branch known as Congress which makes laws; the executive branch headed by the President who carries out laws; and the judicial branch known as the Supreme Court which interprets laws. Key aspects included separation of powers, checks and balances, and a system of shared power between the federal and state governments.

1. September 17, 2010
By: Caroline Busnach

3. James Madison
4th President of the United States

4.  What is a
constitution?
 Why did the United
States create its
constitution?
 Who were the
Founding Fathers?
 What is our national
government?

6. •This was the government prior to the
Constitution
•It created a confederate government
•This type of government made the states
stronger than the central government
•States had separate money and it was
worthless in other states
•People were going into debt
•America needed a change

10. •Also called Congress
•Consists of the House of
Representatives and the Senate
•This branch is able to:
•Make laws
•Impeach officials, or remove them
from power
•Originate spending bills
•Approve treaties
•Declare war

11. •This branch is headed by the President, but also includes the
Vice President, the Cabinet, and independent agencies
•It employs over 4 million people!
•The cabinet is an advisory body made up of the heads of 15
departments. These heads are appointed, or chosen, by the
president. Some of these are:
• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Education
• Department of Defense
•Some responsibilities of the President include:
• Carrying out federal laws
• Recommending new laws
• Vetoing, or rejecting laws
• Directing national defense and foreign policy. He is the
commander in chief of all Armed Forces.
• Performing ceremonial duties, such as hosting foreign
dignitaries

12. •This branch interprets laws passed by the
legislative branch
•It currently consists of nine federal justices (this
number is left up to the Senate to decide upon)
•They serve until their death or until they retire
•The president appoints a judge to serve on this
branch, but they must be approved by Congress

13. • Separation of Power
• Legislative-makes laws
• Executive-makes sure laws are carried out
• Judicial-interprets laws
• Checks and balances
• No one branch has more power over the
others
• Shared Power
• A Federation-strong central government that
shares power with the states
• Only federal government can declare war
and print money
• Only states can establish schools and
regulate local governments
• Both can impose taxes, regulate banks, and
have their own courts

14. •The Preamble
•The Articles
•The Amendments
• The Bill of Rights

15. We the people of the United States, in
order to form a more perfect union,
establish justice, insure domestic
tranquility, provide for the common
defense, promote the general welfare,
and secure the blessings of liberty to
ourselves and our posterity, do ordain
and establish this constitution for the
United States of America.

16. There are 7 articles
These state the original
rules of the constitution

17. •A change to the Constitution
•Can be proposed by congress or states
•Has to be approved by ¾ of the states
•First ten amendments are called the Bill of Rights
•Added almost immediately to protect
individual rights
•Example: First Amendment: Freedom of
Speech and Press
•Some amendments make corrections to the
original constitution
•Other amendments give rights to certain groups of
people. For example the 19th amendment allowed
women to vote
•The last amendment to the constitution was made
in 1992

19.  SchoolTube - School House Rock: The
Preamble

21.  http://hmheducation.com/history/resources_
1.php
 http://hmheducation.com/history/pdfs/Elem
LessonPlan_DocumentingDemocracy.pdf
 http://hmheducation.com/history/pdfs/Elem
LessonPlan_DocumentingDemocracy_wTTE.p
df
 http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/c
onstitution.html
 http://www.congressforkids.net/Constitution
_threebranches.htm
 http://www.whitehouse.gov/our-government