Downloaded 16 times
Uploaded byBo Chamberlain
Constitution overview abbreviated for 8th grade
The document outlines the structure and powers of the three branches of government established by the United States Constitution: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. It describes the two-house structure of Congress, requirements to be a member of Congress, powers granted to Congress. It also outlines the presidency, requirements to be president, powers and duties of the president. Finally, it discusses the judicial branch and powers granted to federal courts.
More Related Content
Similar to Constitution overview abbreviated for 8th grade
Constitution overview abbreviated for 8th grade
- 1. The United StatesConstitution ARTICLE 1 – The Legislative Branch ⌂ Two Houses are set up ⌂ House of Representatives ⌂ each state should have at least one representative ⌂ term is 2 years ⌂ all seats are up each two-year cycle ⌂ number determined by population ⌂ Senate ⌂ each state has two representative ⌂ Term is 6 years ⌂ One-third of the seats are chosen every other year
- 2. The United StatesConstitution ARTICLE 1 – The Legislative Branch ⌂ House of Representatives ⌂ Membership requirements ⌂ 25 years old ⌂ 7 years as a citizen ⌂ Must be an inhabitant of the state where you are being elected ⌂ Number of Representative per State ⌂ 1 Rep for every 500,000 ⌂ Number of seats determined by Census (every 10 years)
- 3. The United StatesConstitution ARTICLE 1 – The Legislative Branch ⌂ Senate ⌂ Membership requirements ⌂ 30 years old ⌂ 9 years as a citizen ⌂ Must be an inhabitant of the state where you are being elected ⌂ Number of Representative per State ⌂ 2 Senators for each state
- 4. The United StatesConstitution ARTICLE 1 – The Legislative Branch ⌂ Other points ⌂ All bills dealing with money must originate in the House ⌂ Congress must keep a journal of its proceedings – Congressional Quarterly ⌂ Congress must meet at least once a year and cannot move its location
- 5. The United StatesConstitution ARTICLE 1 – The Legislative Branch ⌂ Congress has the following powers ⌂ Borrow money ⌂ Regulate trade ⌂ Declare war ⌂ Maintain an army and navy ⌂ Set up federal courts ⌂ Establish rules on citizenship ⌂ Punish crimes on ships at sea ⌂ Make all laws “necessary and proper” aka (the elastic clause)
- 6. The United StatesConstitution ARTICLE 1 – The Legislative Branch ⌂ Congress CANNOT ⌂ suspend the writ of habeas corpus (right of being charged with a crime) ⌂ Tax exports ⌂ pass laws ex post facto (after the fact) ⌂ spend money they have not accounted for by law or by budget ⌂ make trade laws that only help one state over another
- 7. The United StatesConstitution ARTICLE 1 – The Legislative Branch ⌂ What States CANNOT do ⌂ make treaties with other countries ⌂ coin money ⌂ tax imports (without the consent of Congress) ⌂ keep a regular Army (State militias are okay) ⌂ wage war (unless it is defensive)
- 8. The United StatesConstitution ARTICLE 1 – The Legislative Branch ⌂ Impeachment ⌂ What does it mean? ⌂ An official can be removed from office if found guilty of committing an impeachable offense ⌂ The House has sole power to bring up charges of impeachment ⌂ The Senate conducts the trial of the official with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presiding. ⌂ Conviction (by a 2/3 vote) can only mean removal from office, but more can happen outside Congress.
- 9. The United StatesConstitution ARTICLE 1 – How a Bill becomes a Law ⌂ Ideas are presented to Congress (ALL bills concerning money must originate in the House) ⌂ Both the House and the Senate must approve the idea (a bill) by a majority vote ⌂ Bill must be signed by the President or the President holds it for 10 days without signing it ⌂ Then it is a LAW
- 10. The United StatesConstitution ARTICLE 1 – The Veto Process ⌂ The President can veto a bill by not signing it and sending it back to Congress ⌂ The rejected bill must then pass both houses of Congress by a two-thirds vote ⌂ If it does, then it automatically becomes a law without the President’s signature
- 11. The United StatesConstitution ARTICLE 2 – The Executive Branch ⌂ President’s term is 4 years ⌂ Each state selects “electors” who vote for the President ⌂ Electoral representation equals the number of Representatives + 2 for Senators ⌂ Congress sets when electors meet and vote for the President ⌂ Constitution did not originally determine how a VP was selected
- 12. The United StatesConstitution ARTICLE 2 – The Executive Branch Requirements to be President ⌂ Must be a natural-born citizen ⌂ Must be at least 35 years old ⌂ Must be a resident of the United States for 14 years How has that affected who was eligible?
- 13. The United StatesConstitution ARTICLE 2 – The Executive Branch The President is paid for his duty His salary cannot be adjusted during his current term He must swear an oath to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States” Why do we make a note that we pay the Prez?
- 14. The United StatesConstitution ARTICLE 2 – The Executive Branch Duties and Powers of the President ⌂ Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces ⌂ Can grant pardons (or delays in punishment) except for impeachment ⌂ Nominate ambassadors and Supreme Court Justices (with Senate approval)
- 15. The United StatesConstitution ARTICLE 2 – The Executive Branch Duties and Powers of the President ⌂ Gives a “State of the Union” address to Congress ⌂ Receives foreign ambassadors (official recognition of a country) ⌂ Make treaties (but Congress must approve them)
- 16. The United StatesConstitution ARTICLE 2 – The Executive Branch Duties and Powers of the President ⌂ He can call a special session of Congress ⌂ When the Senate is not in session, the President can make temporary appointments “he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed”
- 17. The United StatesConstitution ARTICLE 2 – Impeachment What is an impeachable offense? ⌂ “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors” If convicted, the President (or any other official shall be removed from office
- 18. The United StatesConstitution ARTICLE 3 – The Judicial Branch Judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court Congress sets up the “inferior courts” (What are those?) Federal Courts (inferior courts) hear cases involving ⌂ the Constitution ⌂ treaties between the US and other countries ⌂ other federal laws ⌂ cases between states
- 19. The United StatesConstitution ARTICLE 3 – The Judicial Branch Federal Courts (inferior courts) here cases involving ⌂ citizens and another country ⌂ states and another country ⌂ Any other cases where the US government is a party Trial by jury is for all cases besides impeachment Treason is defined here – waging war against the US and giving aid to anyone who does this Congress decides punishment, but cannot take away their civil rights
- 20. The United StatesConstitution The Rest of the Story! States laws must recognize each others laws Citizens cannot be denied their rights in other states States must return criminals to the origin of the crime - extradition Congress makes all rules governing territories Congress decides when a state is admitted into the Union THE CONSTITUTION SHALL BE CONSIDERED THE SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND
- 21. The United StatesConstitution The Rest of the Story! Oh yeah, and the government officials cannot be required to take a religious oath This is where they get that idea of separation of church and state Although it isn’t really mentioned by name! So, how do we change this thing?????
- 22. The United StatesConstitution Amending the Constitution 2/3 of BOTH Houses must approve and amendment proposal 2/3 of the States must call for a national convention ¾ of the State legislatures can adopt an amendment ¾ of the States hold special conventions Congress decides on the method used
- 23. The United StatesConstitution Ratification Process And it only took 9 states’ approval for this to be newly adopted! Quite a revolution!