1	The United States Constitution
2	Introduction to the U.S. Constitution Written in Philadelphia Original intent was to revise the Articles of Confederation James Madison was the “Father” of the Constitution 39 men signed it on September 15, 1787
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4	The Preamble The Introduction to the Constitution Two main questions found in the Preamble – and their answers: 1. Why they are writing it? (to form a more perfect union)
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6	"How the Constitution is divided" How the Constitution is divided: 1. Articles - the major divisions 2. Sections - divisions of an article 3. Clauses - divisions of a section
7	Article I – The Legislative Branch Section One: What is a Congress? Bicameral Legislature: There are two houses, a Senate and House of Representatives. Section Two: House of Representatives Clause One: A Representative serves a two year term
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11	Reapportionment – How it Works Take a census every ten years Congress totals the number of Reps. each state will get (that total must equal 435) Congress will notify the state legislatures of any changes State legislatures will determine new district boundaries 5. New districts will allow for new elections for the House of Reps
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21	House Officers Speaker of the House - Controls the discussion on the floor Majority Leader - Helps the speaker & leads his/her party Majority Whip - Helps majority leader Minority Leader - Serves as a watchdog over the majority party Minority Whip - Helps minority leader
22	Section Three - The Senate Clause One - How is a Senator different from a member of the House of Representatives? Senators term is 6 years 2 Senators per state (all states get the same amount) Originally Senators were chosen by state legislatures Today, chosen by direct election (17^th Amendment)
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28	Section Four - When Does Congress Meet in Washington, D.C.? Clause one - When are the national elections held? At one time federal elections were not uniform. Some states held them on different days and months. National Election Day was set by Congress in a federal law passed in 1845 - the 1^st Tuesday after the first Monday of November in even numbered years
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30	Section Five – Rules of Procedures Clause One - Can an elected official be removed from office? (Yes) Each House determines the qualifications of their members Brigham Roberts—1901, polygamist from Utah, The Senate refused to seat him
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35	Section Six—Privileges and Restrictions Clause One - What is the salary and benefits for a member of Congress? Compensation—members of Congress decide how much they will be paid (currently, about $170,000 per year) Congressional immunity - can’t be arrested for minor crimes when traveling to or from Congress (breach of peace, treason, felony, are not exempt from this immunity) Slander/libel—saying/writing something that is not true, they can do this in the House and Senate (so that speech is not limited or censored) Franking privilege—free mail service to constituents
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38	Section 7 – Method of Passing Bills Clause One - Where do tax bills start? All tax bills start in the House.
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44	Section Eight Powers Delegated to Congress Clause One - Why can Congress collect taxes? Congress can collect taxes for three purposes: Pay off debts Provide defense Provide for the common welfare
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55	Section Nine – Powers Denied to the Federal Government Clause One - What about the issues of slavery? Congress stopped the importation of slaves in 1808 Use the word “such persons” as opposed to “slaves”
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60	Section Ten – 0 Powers Denied to the States Clause One - Can Minnesota create an alliance with Canada? (No) States cannot form treaties or alliances with any other states or countries States cannot coin money
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62	Article II—Executive Branch Section One—President & Vice President
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70	Section Two Powers of the President Clause One—What are the Military Powers? President is the head of the military - Commander in Chief President can grant pardons to criminals who have committed federal crimes
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72	Section Three What are the Duties of the President? State of the Union Address - The President explains the condition of the country - usually in January President can convene and adjourn Congress in the event of a special circumstance Main job is to see that the laws are faithfully executed
73	Section Four - Impeachment President, Vice President, and all civil officers can be impeached Can only be impeached for three things: treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. Judges are civil officers that are the most often convicted of impeachment Members of the Congress may be expelled by their own house, they do not go through the formal impeachment process
74	Article III—Judicial Branch Section One—Federal Courts Clause One - Who interprets the law? Judicial branch interprets the law (Courts) Legislative makes the law (Congress) Executive enforces the law (President) Judicial powers—the power to hear cases Federal judges are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate
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76	Section Two – Jurisdiction of the Federal Courts Clause One—Jurisdiction Jurisdiction—power and right to apply law Plaintiff—one who brings charges Defendant—one being charged Criminal case—when government is plaintiff (California vs. O.J. Simpson) Civil case—between two or more people (O. J. Simpson vs. Goldman family)
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79	Section Three--Treason Clause One - What is treason? Only crime defined in the Constitution (helping a nation’s enemies or carrying out war against your country) 2 ways of being convicted: 1. Confession in court room 2. Having two witnesses testify against you
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81	Article IV—Relations Among the States Section One—Official Acts Clause One - I live in Missouri, do I have to follow the rules of Kansas when I visit friends in Overland Park? (Yes - full faith and credit) Each state shall respect legal action of another state (marriage licenses, speed limits, fines, drivers license)
82	Section Two—Privileges of Citizens Clause One - Can I buy a lake home in Minnesota if I live in Missouri? (Yes) State cannot discriminate against you because you are a citizen of another state
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84	Section Three—New States Clause One - How does a state become admitted to the Union? Only Congress can admit states
85	Section Four - Guarantees of the State The federal government guarantees each state a republic Republic—Representative democracy where we elect officials to represent our concerns The government will protect us from invasions
86	Article V Methods of Amendments 1^st Method - need 2/3 of Congress to PROPOSE an Amendment 2^nd Method - need 2/3 of the state legislatures to ask Congress for a national convention to propose an Amendment (this method has never been used)
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88	Article VI—General Provisions Section One - Could the new government evade debts owed as a result of the Revolutionary War? New government can’t evade old debts
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90	Article Seven--Ratification Section One— Convention—calling of delegates from each state to ratify the Constitution Must have nine states to approve the Constitution
91	CLOSURE Constitution was finished September 17, 1787 55 total delegates during the convention 42 were present on the final day but only 39 people signed the Constitution The following two years provided debate for ratification The United States Constitution took effect April 30 , 1789 when George Washington was sworn in as President