Ch. 6 L2 - The Constitution

So what exactly does the Constitution say anyway?

And do we still do what it says, even though it was made over 200 years ago???

"We the people of the United States..."

America is a democracy = people have the power to make political decisions. But how?

elections!

beginning of the Constitution is Preamble = goals for our country (safety, peace, good lives)

What was the plan called that made 3 branches of gov.?

Virginia Plan! - 1. Legislative 2. Executive 3. Judicial

Legislative (Congress) - make laws - Congress has 2 houses - what are they?

Senate and House of Representatives

Every state gets two senators and the House of Representatives is based on what again?

Population! - the more people you have in your state, the more you get to send to the House = your state gets more votes

Did you know that California has the most representatives with 53? Some states only have 1!

Executive Branch - President!

Pres can suggest laws to Congress, but they can't make them

they also carry out the laws made by Congress, enforce them

Oh, did you know that the President is the commander of the U.S. military?

"Commander in Chief"

Judicial Branch - decides the meaning of laws made by Congress, and whether its being followed or not

includes many courts, but the highest court in America is the ______ _______

Supreme Court!

Reminder: the problem with the Articles was that it had a weak central gov.

The Constitution gives more power to central gov, but not too much.

limited gov. - everyone must follow the law, even the President!

What do you think the founding father's biggest worry was

Why do you think Madison and them made 3 branches of gov?

To spread out the power! To make sure all the power didn't go to one person/part!

But wait, what if one branch becomes too powerful?

That's why they made checks and balances = system where each branch can limit the power of the other two

Congress can make a law, but President can be veto (reject) it!

President can choose the judges for the Supreme Court, but Congress can reject them!

Supreme Court can say that a law is unconstitutional = does not follow the Constitution, then it's no longer a law!