The document summarizes the structure and functions of the US government as established by the Constitution. It describes the three branches of government - legislative, executive, and judicial - and their roles. It also explains the principles of separation of powers, checks and balances, and how the Constitution aims to protect individual rights while limiting government power.

1. The story of the U.S. Constitution Liberty Tree

2. Liberty Tree U.S. Constitution Magna Carta English Bill of Rights Fundamental Orders of Connecticut Mayflower Compact Town Hall Meetings House of Burgesses Articles of Confederation Continental Congress

3. At the Constitutional Convention, the delegates created a new plan for the U.S. government that focused on two things. Structure and Function

4. Structure Structure is the framework of our government.

5. structure What do you notice about the structure of a tree? limbs root system branches leaves tree bark

6. three The government structure has three branches. Judicial Legislative Executive

7. Structure Legislative Branch: Structure Senate 2 per state 6-year terms House of Representatives based on population 2-year terms Elected by the people Bicameral = made of two houses

8. Structure President (4-year term) Vice-President Cabinet Members Appointees Executive Branch: Structure

9. Structure Executive Branch: Structure Vice - President Dick Cheney George W. Bush President Secretary of State Colin Powell

10. Structure U. S. Supreme Court (life-terms) District Courts (appointed) County and Local Courts (elected) Judicial Branch: Structure

11. function provides shade home for some animals holds soil in place What is the function of a tree?

12. provide for the common defense ensure domestic tranquility promote the general welfare establish justice secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves, and our posterity The preamble to the Constitution tells the function or WHAT the government does for the people.

13. Idea may become a bill (proposed law) in House of Representatives or Senate Makes laws Legislative Branch: Function U.S. Congress Elected by the people People discuss ideas and tell representatives in Congress Bill becomes a law if approved by both houses and signed by the President

14. Executive Branch: Function The White House Ensures that the laws are carried out Elected by the people and electoral college system

15. Judicial Branch: Function Supreme Court Interprets the laws (decides if laws are fair) Tries civil and criminal cases in lower courts Nine justices on U.S. Supreme Court Appointed by President and approved by Congress

16. Each branch checks and balances the other branches. = = President Congress Supreme Court

17. Legislative branch can remove judges from office Executive branch can veto law Legislative branch makes laws Checks and Balances Legislative branch can override presidential veto with a 2/3 vote Judicial branch can declare a law unconstitutional

18. Executive branch appoints Supreme Court justices Legislative branch has to approve the appointment of the justices

19. House of Representatives brings charges against the President (impeach) Legislative branch can remove president from office Senate holds a trial and 2/3 vote needed to remove President from office

20. The U.S. Constitution has seven articles that explain the structure and function of the government.

21. Article 1: Legislative Branch Article 2: Executive Branch Article 3: Judicial Branch Article 4: Relations Among States Article 5: Amending the Constitution Article 6: National Supremacy Article 7: Ratification

22. The structure and function of our government are based on seven basic principles.

23. Seven Basic Principles of the Constitution Limited powers of government Separation of powers Popular sovereignty Checks and balances Individual rights Republicanism Federalism

24. Since King George III had unlimited power, the writers of the U.S. Constitution wanted “we the people” to put limits on the government . The Constitution outlined exactly what the government could do.

25. Separation of powers divides the operation of government into three equal branches. = =

26. “ Sovereignty” comes from “sovereign” which means ruler. “ Popular” means people. . Popular sovereignty = people choose In other words…

27. Popular sovereignty is the belief that the people hold the final authority in government.

28. Each branch of the government checks and balances , or monitors, the power of the other two branches.

29. Individual rights are the basic liberties and rights that are guaranteed in the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights. These individual rights have been extended through subsequent amendments to the Constitution. Examples Freedom of speech Freedom of press Freedom of religion Right to a trial by jury

30. Republicanism is a philosophy of limited government in which elected representatives serve at the will of the people. Examples State legislatures Congress

31. Federalism is the division and sharing of powers between the state and national government. National Powers maintain armed forces coin money declare war make foreign policy State Powers provide for education conduct elections provide public safety regulate trade in state

32. Powers Shared by National and State Governments raise taxes administer criminal justice provide for public welfare charter banks borrow money

33. This living document protects the rights of the individuals by limiting the power of the government. Rooted in these seven principles, the U.S. Constitution has endured since 1787.

34. Visual Metaphor: How is the U.S. government like a tricycle? Handle bars = Constitution Platform = Separation of powers

35. Label the parts of the tricycle with these other words. The People Executive Branch Legislative Branch Judicial Branch President Congress Supreme Court Checks and Balances

36. The foundation of our government and the supreme law of the land The Tree of Liberty