The United States Constitution
The Structure of Government Republican Form of Government Representative Democracy Federation of States with a central government
THE PREAMBLE: 3 words that changed the world
The Preamble to the United States Constitution 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. Who are We the People... What are they perfecting when it says...in order to form a more perfect Union What, according to the preamble, are the main objectives of the Constitution?
The Key Principles of the Constitutional Government All states are equal All persons, whether rich or poor, are equal before the law No one person is above the law The Government is comprised of three separate branches Legislative, Executive, Judicial Separation of Powers The authority of the Government can only be changed by changing the Constitution The AMENDMENT process
Articles of the Constitution I LEGISLATURE Make the Law Bi-cameral Congress (2 Houses) The House of Representatives elected every 2 years The Senate elected every 6 years
Articles of the Constitution II EXECUTIVE Implement the Law President Elected every 4 years Cabinet
Articles of the Constitution III JUDICIAL Evaluates the Law Supreme Court 9 Justices Appointed for life
Articles of the Constitution IV Interstate Relations Guarantees a REPUBLICAN form of Government V AMENDING THE CONSTITUION Meant to be a very difficult 2 step process Super majorities needed to propose and amend the Constitution 27 amendments have been made to the Constitution ratified 6 proposed amendments have failed to be ratified by the states
Articles of the Constitution VI CONSTITUTIONAL SUPREMEACY Guarantees that the Constitution and the measures contained in it are the Highest laws of the land Federal Law is Higher than State law
Articles of the Constitution VII RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUION 9 of the 13 states needed to vote for ratification for the Constitution to be adopted The Great Debate over Ratification There was a lot of unease about the new government structure. Too strong a central government President seemed like a King Not enough protection of individual / state rights Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist Arguments The Federalist Papers
The Bill of Rights: The Principles of Limited Government Created to ensure a proper balance between the power of the Federal Government and the rights of the Individual and the State Existed in the United States
The Bill of Rights: The Principles of Limited Government
The Bill of Rights: The Principles of Limited Government Amendment I -- Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
The Bill of Rights: The Principles of Limited Government Amendment II -- A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. Amendment III -- No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
The Bill of Rights: The Principles of Limited Government Amendment IV -- The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
The Bill of Rights: The Principles of Limited Government Amendment V -- No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law
The Bill of Rights: The Principles of Limited Government Amendment VI -- In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed; to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
The Bill of Rights: The Principles of Limited Government Amendment VII -- In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law. Amendment VIII -- Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
The Bill of Rights: The Principles of Limited Government Amendment IX -- The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Amendment X -- The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.