The Living Constitution

1
The Living Constitution

• Modern U.S. History

2
The 7 Principles of the Constitution

• Popular Sovereignty
• Republicanism
• Federalism
• Separation of Powers
• Checks and Balances
• Limited Government
• Individual Rights

3
Popular Sovereignty

• This concept means that the people rule in our
  country
• We are the source of the governments power
• This has taken on new people throughout history
  (like who?)
• African American men (1865)
• Women (1920)
• 18 year olds (1971)

4
Republicanism

• Our government works by people choosing our
  leaders who then make the decisions for us

5
Federalism

• Federalism is a system of shared powers between
  the national government and the state governments

6
Separation of Powers

• Power in our government is split, or separated
  among 3 branches
• Executive
• Legislative
• Judicial

7
Checks and Balances

• Each branch of government exercises control, or a
  check on the other branches.
• This ensures that one branch doesnt become too
  powerful

8
Limited Government and Individual Rights

• Limited Government Constitution lists things
  that the government cannot do. It also explain
  how all citizens, weak or strong, must obey the
  law
• Individual Rights People get certain individual
  privileges protections from powerful government

9
Elastic Clause

• Congress is granted the power to make all laws
  necessary and proper for carrying out all of the
  powers given to it by the Constitution
• This allows future generations to expand the
  meaning of the Constitution to apply to new
  situations as they come up
• What kinds of things would that Framers of the
  Constitution not be able to anticipate?

10
The Electoral College

• Voters dont choose President directly
• Each state has electors that make up the
  Electoral College
• Number of electors per state determined by the
  number of Senators and members of the House of
  Reps. that the state has
• Winner take all meaning that if a candidate
  wins a state they get all of that states
  electors (with some exceptions)

11
Electoral College Map 2004 ElectionGeorge W.
Bush RedJohn Kerry Blue
12
Roles of the President

• Commander-in-Chief
• Chief Executive
• Chief Diplomat
• Legislative Leader
• Head of Political Party

13
Commander-in-Chief
14
Chief Executive
15
Chief Diplomat Chief of State
16
Legislative Leader
17
Head of Political Party
18
Judicial Review

• Judicial Review is one of the most important
  powers the Judicial Branch has
• The Supreme Court (and other federal courts) have
  the power to examine laws and government activity
  and decide whether it violates the Constitution

19
(No Transcript)
20
America Both Federal and State Governments
Taxes Courts Laws Roads
21
Amending the Constitution

• Constitution can be amended or changed
• Has been amended 27 times in history
• Amendment must be passed by 2/3 of BOTH houses of
  Congress or application by 2/3 of the states
• To be passed Amendment must be ratified by ¾ of
  state legislatures or ¾ of state conventions

22
Supreme Law of the Land

• If a U.S. law and a state law contradict, which
  one takes precedence (is more important to
  follow)?
• The U.S. Constitution and the laws of the U.S.
  shall be supreme over state constitutions and
  state laws

23
The Bill of Rights

• The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution
• Guarantees basic freedoms and liberties for all
  U.S. citizens

24
The 1st Amendment

• The 1st Amendment guarantees
• Freedom of Religion
• Freedom of Speech
• Freedom of the Press
• Freedom of Assembly
• Freedom to Petition the Government

25
Amendments 2-4

• The 2nd Amendment Citizens have the right to
  keep and bear arms
• The 3rd Amendment The government cannot quarter
  troops in your home
• The 4th Amendment Citizens have protection
  against illegal searches and seizures (govt must
  obtain a warrant have probable cause to conduct
  a search)

26
The 5th Amendment

• People accused of crimes have the right to not
  incriminate themselves
• The right to remain silent (Miranda rights)
• No person is ever forced to testify against
  themselves
• No double jeopardy

27
Amendments 6-8 Protects those accused of crimes

• 6th Amendment Right to a Speedy and Public Trial
  (also the right to hear the charges, right to
  call witnesses in your favor, and right to an
  attorney)
• 7th Amendment Trial by Jury in Civil cases
• 8th Amendment Limits of Fines and Punishments
  (no excessive bail, or cruel and unusual
  punishment)
• 9th Amendment Addresses the rights of people
  that arent specifically stated in the
  Constitution
• 10th Amendment Says that anything the
  Constitution doesnt mention is left up to the
  states

28
Other Famous Amendments

• 13th Slavery is outlawed (1865)
• 16th Income tax is allowed (1913)
• 18th Prohibition of alcohol (1919)
• 19th Womens Suffrage (right to vote) (1920)
• 21st Prohibition repealed (1933)
• 22nd Limits President to 2 terms (1951)
• 25th Presidential Disability/Succession (1967)
• 26th 18 year olds can vote (1971)
• 27th Congressional pay raises (1992)

29
The Line of Succession after the President (who
are they today???)

• 1. Vice-President
• 2. Speaker of the House
• 3. President Pro-Tempore of the Senate
• 4. Secretary of State
• 5. Secretary of Treasury

30
Executive Departments (The Presidents Cabinet)

• Leaders of all the Executive Departments serve in
  the Presidents Cabinet or closest group of
  advisors

31
The Presidents Cabinet

• The Secretary of (they all serve as Presidential
  advisors and heads of their govt department)
• Agriculture
• Commerce
• Defense
• Education
• Energy
• Health Human Services
• Homeland Security
• Housing and Urban Development
• Interior
• Justice (Attorney General)
• Labor
• State
• Transportation
• Treasury
• Veterans Affairs

32
Key Members of our Government those we need to
know

• President
• Vice President
• Speaker of the House of Representatives
• President Pro-Tempore of the Senate
• Secretary of State
• 2 U.S. Senators from Wisconsin
• U.S. Representative whose district includes
  Waterford
• Governor of Wisconsin

33
The President of the United States

• Barack Obama

34
The Vice President of the United States

• Joe Biden

35
The Speaker of the House of Representatives

• John Boehner

36
President Pro-Tempore of the Senate

• Daniel Inouye

37
The Secretary of State

• Hillary Clinton

38
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

• John Roberts

39
Wisconsins 2 U.S. Senators

• Herb Kohl
• Ron Johnson

40
U.S. Representative whose district includes
Waterford

• Paul Ryan

41
Wisconsins 1st District
42
The Governor of Wisconsin

• Scott Walker