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A New United States

U.S. Constitution

Set-up of the Constitution

Preamble

� Intro

Articles

� 7 total

Amendments

� Bill of Rights

� Ten as of 1791

� 27 overall

Preamble of the 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 & our posterity, do ordain &

establish this Constitution for the United

States of America.

Goals of the Preamble

To form a more perfect union (of states)

To establish justice (protect & set the law)

To ensure domestic tranquility (peace @ home)

To provide for the common defense (defend

country)

To promote the general welfare (well-being of

general population)

To secure the blessings of liberty

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The Articles

1) Legislative branch

2) Executive branch

3) Judicial branch

4) Relation between states

5) Amendment process

6) National supremacy� Constitution is “supreme law of

the land”

7) Ratification

Popular

Sovereignty

� A monarch is

unconstitutional

� People should

have authority

� Right to alter or

abolish government

Examples in the Constitution:

� “We the people…”

� House of Representatives (chosen

by people) given power to raise

money-bills

� States given right to decide on

slavery (10th Amendment)

Basic Principles

Limited government

� Avoid tyranny

� Gov’t has powers

only expressed in

Constitution

� Everyone must obey

law

Examples in the Constitution:

� Article 1, Section 9 – Powers

denied to Congress

� Article 1, Section 10 – Powers

denied the States

Basic Principles

Separation of power

� 3 branches of government

� Executive: President

� Legislative: Congress

� Judicial: Courts

Checks & balances� No abuse of power

� Each branch can limit the other two

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National StateBOTH

Enumerated Powers• Regulate trade

• Coin money

• Provide an army &

navy

• Conduct foreign affairs

• Set up federal courts

Concurrent Powers• Enforce the laws

• Establish courts

• Collect taxes

• Borrow money

• Provide for the general

welfare

Reserved Powers• Regulate trade within

the state

• Establish local gov’t

systems

• Conduct elections

• Establish public

schools system

Federalism

� Division of gov’t power

� Federal government divided from the state

Basic Principles Basic Principles

Republicanism

� Republic form of government

� Citizens elect representatives

Individual Rights

� Protects rights of individual citizens

Bill of Rights

1) Freedoms of religion,

speech, press,

assembly, & petition

2) Right to bear arms

3) No quartering troops

in private homes

4) Search & Seizure

5) Rights of the accused

6) Right to speedy trial by

jury

7) Jury trial in civil cases

8) Bail & punishment

9) Powers to the people

10) Powers to the states

12 amendments proposed in 1789…10 amendments ratified by Congress on

12/15/1791 and known as Bill of Rights