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the introduction

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, 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.”

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The Constitution includes seven main sections called articles.

Articles I, II, and III create the three branches of the national government—the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, respectively.

Article IV explains the relationship of the states to one another and to the national government.

Article V explains the ways that the Constitution can be amended, or changed.

Article VI establishes the Constitution as "the supreme Law of the Land,".

Article VII addresses ratification.

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Amendments are the changes to the original document.

Some amendments describe the people’s individual rights, while others modify some of the rules or structure for government.

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The Constitution is based on the concept of being ruled by the people.

In a republican system of government, the people elect representatives to rule on their behalf.

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One way the Constitution limits power is making clear what the national government can and can not do.

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Power is divided between the federal, or national, government and the state governments.

All levels of government pass their own laws, have their own agencies and officials to implement these laws.

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Separation of Power into Three Branches of Government

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Separation of Power into Three Branches of Government

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Separation of powers makes sure each branch has specific duties in the government.

This system prevents any branch from becoming too powerful.

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The Bill of Rights list the rights of Americans.

These rights are not unlimited as all individual rights are balanced with the government’s need to provide for the good of the people

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Within each of the three separate branches of the national government, there are checks and balances.

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Even though the constitution was created 200 years ago, we still use it to govern our country today even with its changing needs.

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Responsible for passing laws and is divided into two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The House is the voice of the people, directly elected by popular vote.

The Senate has 2 representatives from each state.

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Congress has enumerated powers.

These powers include the power to levy taxes, borrow money, coin money, punish counterfeiting, and regulate commerce.

They also have powers over national defense, including the power to declare war, raise and support armed forces, and organize the militia.

Congress has the authority to make laws passed on the necessity.

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The president is the head of the executive branch.

There are currently 15 executive departments which all the leaders report to the president.

The executive branch also includes numerous federal agencies, boards, commissions, government corporations, and advisory boards.

The Constitution says the president has the power to grant pardons, make treaties, and appoint ambassadors, Supreme Court justices.

A president can also fire officials in the executive branch, make agreements with foreign nations, or take emergency actions to save the nation.

The Constitution names the president commander in chief and gives Congress the sole authority to declare war and to fund the military.

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The Constitution names the federal court system the Supreme Court.

The Constitution says that federal judges hold their title for life unless there are certain circumstances.

The Constitution created the federal court system, which hears cases about the U.S. Constitution.

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To prevent the president from not becoming too powerful, many of the executive powers require cooperation with Congress.

The power of Congress is limited by the need for presidential approval.

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Each branch can check, or control, the power of the other two.

The president can veto bills passed by Congress, but Congress can override the veto and impeach the president or federal judges.

The courts can determine what federal laws mean and overturn them if they are unconstitutional.

Congress can respond to a Supreme Court ruling by passing a new law that clarifies meaning or by proposing an amendment to the Constitution.