The Constitution Handbook

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The Constitution Handbook
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Introduction

• Serving as the framework of national government
  and the source of American citizens basic
  rights, the Constitution is the most important
  document of the United States. To preserve self
  government, all citizens need to understand their
  rights and responsibilities.

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Seven Major Principles

1. Popular Sovereignty
2. Republicanism
3. Limited Government
4. Federalism
5. Separation of Powers
6. Checks and Balances
7. Individual Rights

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Popular Sovereignty and Republicanism

• People consent to be governed and specify the
  powers and rules by which they shall be governed
• Put the above phrase in your own words.
• A system of interlocking responsibilities creates
  limited power
• Voters have the ultimate authority to elect or
  not re-elect representatives

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Limited Government

• Articles I, II, and II of the Constitution
  describe the powers of the federal government and
  the limits of those powers
• Other limits are set forth in the Bill of Rights

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Federalism state and the national government
sharing power

• States deal with their needs in their own way
• The National government helps the states act
  together to deal with matters that affect all
  Americans
• Three Types of Gov. Power
• Enumerated coin money, regulate interstate and
  foreign trade, maintain armed forces, and create
  federal courts
• Reserved establish schools, set marriage and
  divorce laws, and regulate trade.
• Concurrent (national and state gov. share)
  right to raise taxes , borrow money, provide for
  public welfare, and administer criminal justice.
• Constitution is the supreme law of the land

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Separation of Powers
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Checks and Balances
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Individual Rights

• Bill of Rights First ten amendments added to
  the Constitution in 1791
• Provide freedom of speech, religion, and the
  right to trial by jury
• 17 more amendments were added to the Constitution
• Including the abolishment of slavery, guaranteed
  voting rights, authorize an income tax, and set a
  2/3 limit on the presidency.

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The Legislative Branch

• Includes House of Reps and the Senate
• Two Primary Roles
• Make the laws
• Decide how federal funds are spent
• All tax and spending bills must start in the
  House and be approved by the Senate
• Congress also monitors the executive branch and
  investigates abuses
• The House can impeach any federal official
• The Senate acts as the court and tries the
  official
• Additional Senate Powers
• Ratify Treaties Made by the Senate
• Must confirm presidential appointments

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How a Bill Becomes a Law

• 1. Member of Congress introduces bill, referred
  to committee for review.
• 2. Committee decides to shelve it or send it back
  for revisions.
• 3. House or senate debates bill and can make
  revisions. If bill is passed, it is sent to other
  house
• 4. House and Senate meet to compromise if they
  both pass a similar bill.
• 5. Compromise bill is then sent to both houses.
• 6. If both houses pass the bill, it is sent to
  the president to sign.
• 7. If president signs it becomes the law
• 8. President may also veto bill
• 9. If House and Senate can garner 2/3 vote they
  can overrule president

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The Executive Branch

• The Presidents Role
• Chief Executive responsible to carry out the
  nations laws
• Commander in Chief directs military operations,
  can send troops to other nations for up to 60
  days, may remain longer only if Congress declares
  war.
• Chief of State - Symbolic representative of all
  Americans
• Legislative Leader proposes laws and presents
  his goals in the annual State of the Union
  address.
• Appoints the leaders of 15 Executive Cabinets

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The Judicial Branch

• District and Appellate Courts
• 94 District Court at least one in every state
• Here federal issues such as tax evasion,
  kidnapping, and free speech
• Appellate Courts her appeals of a verdict
• US Supreme Court
• Final authority in the federal court system
• Chief justice and eight associates
• Court Independence president appoints justices
  for life and senate confirms appointments, public
  has no input.
• Judicial Review ultimate authority to interpret
  the constitution

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Rights and Responsibilities as protected by the
Constitution

• The Rights of Americans
• Protection from Unfair Actions
• Right to a lawyer, trial by jury, protection from
  unreasonable search and seizures
• Equal Treatment
• Right to be treated under same law
• 5th Amend provides due process no person shall
  be deprived of life, liberty, or property,
  without due process of law.
• 14th Amend provides equal protection of laws

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Rights and Responsibilities Cont..

• Basic Freedoms
• Described in First Amendment
• Freedom of speech, religion, press, and the right
  to petition
• Allows citizens to criticize the government to an
  extent, in speech or in the press, without the
  fear of punishment.
• Limit on Rights
• Rights are not absolute
• Limited based on the principle of respecting each
  others rights
• Many cities require groups to obtain a permit to
  march.
• The goal is to create a balance between citizens
  rights and the rights of the government.

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Citizens Duties Responsibilities

• Duties
• One basic duty of all American is to obey the law
• Laws serve three functions
• 1) Maintain order
• 2) They protect health, safety, and property of
  all citizens
• 3) Make it possible for people to live together
  peacefully
• Americans are required to pay taxes
• Taxes are used to defend the nation, build roads
  and bridges, and to assist people
• Defend the Nation
• All males 18 or older must register with the
  government
• Trial by Jury All Americans have the right to
  trial by jury
• People 18 and older can be called to jury duty
• Education Schools require citizens to attend
  school to a certain age.

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Citizens Duties and Responsibilities Cont...

• Active citizens
• Informed of local, state, and national issues
• Being informed helps citizens maintain a
  responsible and responsive government
• Respecting the Rights of Others
• Our democracy also supports respecting others
  regardless of race, religion, beliefs or other
  differences
• Voting
• Allows one to participate and guide the
  government
• Citizens can also directly contact their local,
  state and national representatives.