The Constitution of the United States Document that tells basic rules and explains rights of a US...
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Transcript of The Constitution of the United States Document that tells basic rules and explains rights of a US...
The Constitution of the United States
• Document that tells basic rules and explains rights of a US citizen
• Written 200 years ago• Written to unite all the
13 colonies
Constitution
• 57 men helped write it in 1787
• Ratified by the states in 1788
• It has 7 sections called Articles telling how the government works
The Bill of Rights• First 10 amendments• It guaranteed certain
freedoms and rights• Added after the
Constitution• Freedom of Speech• Freedom of Religion• Freedom to Assemble
Amendments
• Amendments change the Constitution
• 2/3 of both the Senate and House of Representatives must approve
• 3/4 of all states must approve
Federal Government
• Federal government deals with matters that affect the whole country– Defense
– Transportation
– Postal Delivery
– Federal Taxes
Three Separate Branches
• Each branch has power to check the others
Federal GovernmentExecutive Branch
• Executive: Power to carry out laws• The President is head of the Executive Branch • Commander in Chief of nation’s army • Elected to a four year term• Approves the laws that
congress makes• Proposed national budget• Can veto a bill
Federal GovernmentLegislative Branch
House of Representatives•Number according to state’s population•Representative must live in the state they represent•25 years or older•US Citizen for 7 years•Elected to 2 year term
Senate•Each state has 2•Senators must live in the state they represent •30 years or older•Citizen of the U.S. for 9 years•Elected to 6 year term
Legislative Branch has the power to make laws
Federal Government Judicial Branch
• Judicial: Power to interpret laws• Judicial Branch applies national laws• Make up of the court system• Highest is the Supreme Court
- appointed for life terms• Lowest levels are
Justice of Peace • Gets its powers from
Article III of the Constitution
What is a Citizen?• Two kinds of citizens• Native-born citizens
– Born here
– Children of American citizens born while visiting other countries
• Naturalized citizens– Have to be at least 18
– From other countries
– Lived here 5 years to qualify
– 3 years if they’re married to an American citizen
Citizen’s Rights• Countries protect their citizens and
give them rights • Naturalized and Native-born citizens
have the same rights, except one• Naturalized citizens can’t run for
president• Citizens can vote• Freedom of Religion• Freedom of Speech• Freedom of the Press
Citizen’s Responsibilities
• Duty to obey the law• Vote in elections• To pay taxes• If the country is at
war, citizens may be called to serve in the armed forces
• Serve on a jury if called