U.S. Constitution Notes

U.S. Constitution NotesBrief History of the U.S.Started as British trade settlement

13 colonies created to grow/produce goods for British Empire.

Britain is broke; Colonists forced to begin paying taxes.

Other individual rights are suspended; small group of colonists begin discussing rebellion.

Brief History of the U.S.Colonies declare independence on July 4, 1776.

Britain surrenders war in 1781 due to lack of money/interest.

U.S. is created; Articles of Confederation used as new govt.

Constitution is written when Articles fail; adopted in 1787

Current capital is Washington D.C. (Maryland)Legislative Branch1st of 3 branches of U.S. govt.

Main duty of this branch: Make laws.

Branch is made up of 2 houses:House of RepresentativesSenateHouse has 435 members; at least 1 from each state.

Senate has 100 members; 2 from each state.House of RepresentativesHas 435 members.

Each state sends at least 1 representative to Washington D.C.

House of Representatives is based on population of each state.

Reps are elected by people from their represented district within the state.Aaron Schock 18th District

House of RepresentativesHouse members serve a 2 year term of office; can be re-elected an unlimited number of times.

Reps earn $174,000 a year.

House is divided among majority and minority parties.

House Majority/Minority leaders earn $193,400 a year.

Speaker of the House earns $223,500 a year.

Homework #1What date did U.S. declare independence from Britain? (Pg. 3)What are the titles of the two houses in the legislative branch? (Pg. 4)What is the main job of the legislative branch? (Pg. 4)How many members are in the House of Representatives? (Pg. 5)How long is the term of office for a member of the House of Representatives? (Pg. 6)SenateSenate has 100 total members.

Each state is guaranteed 2 Senators per state.Illinois Dick Durbin & Mark Kirk

Senators serve a 6 yr. term.

Can be re-elected an unlimited number of times.SenateSenators make $174,000 per year of their term.

Like House, Senate has majority/minority parties.

Senate Majority/Minority party leaders make $193,400 per year.

Senate representation is based on equality, not population.Misc. Legislative BranchRequirements for being member of House:25 yrs. oldCitizen of U.S. for 7 yrs.Live in representing state

Requirements for being member of Senate:30 yrs. oldCitizen of U.S. for 9 yrs.Live in representing stateMisc. Jobs of Leg. BranchSenate:Leader of Senate is Vice President.Approves treaties made by President.Serves as jury in impeachment cases.Approves appointments made by President.

House:Leader of House is Speaker of House (Majority Party leader).All revenue bills start in House.Sole power of impeachment.Homework #2How long is a Senators term of office? (Pg. 8)How many Senators are in the Senate? (Pg. 8)How old must a Representative be? (Pg. 10)Who serves as a jury in impeachment cases? (Pg. 11)Where must both Senators and Reps live in order to be elected? (Pg. 10)Who has sole power of impeachment? (Pg. 11)How old must a Senator be? (Pg. 10

Executive Branch2nd of 3 branches of govt.

Main job: Enforce laws.

Head of the executive branch is the President.

Presidents serve a 4 year term.

Presidents can serve 2 terms or 10 yrs. total.Executive BranchInauguration (takes office) happens every January 20 following the election.

Makes $400,000 per year of term.

President serves as Commander-in-Chief for military forces.

President can NOT declare war on any country.Congress (House/Senate) declares war.

Executive BranchRequirements to be President:35 yrs. oldResident of the U.S. for at least 14 yrs.Natural born citizen

Line of succession for the Presidency is:Vice PresidentSpeaker of the HousePresident Pro Tempore (Senate)Cabinet, starting with Sec. of State.

Why is this necessary?Is this fair? Should it be changed?Presidents Cabinet15 cabinet positions appointed by the President.

Cabinet positions to know:Sec. of State Manages foreign affairs.Sec. of Energy Manages U.S. Energy Policy.Sec. of Agriculture Manages farm programs.Sec. of Transportation Manages nations highway system.Sec. of Defense Manages U.S. wars.Sec. of Labor Manages labor issues.Judicial Branch3rd of 3 branches of govt.

Main job: Judge/interpret law

Highest court in the U.S. is the Supreme Court

Chief officer of the Supreme Court is Chief JusticeJudicial BranchOrder of the federal court system:DistrictAppellateSupreme

Federal judges are appointed by President w/ approval from Senate.

Federal judges serve on the bench for life or retirement (can be impeached).Judicial BranchQualifications for being federal judge:Legal U.S. CitizenAppointed by President

3 judges serve on each U.S. Court of Appeals (12 total).

Court of Appeals hears appeals cases from lower courts.No witnesses, evidence, or statements given.Lawyers from both sides state their case and the court then rules.Judicial BranchU.S. Supreme Court hears the following cases:Appeals cases from lower courts (Appellate, District)Appeals cases from state supreme courtsViolation of rights cases

Like Appellate court, lawyers give statements about case and then the justices rule on case.

9 justices serve on U.S. Supreme CourtWhy this number?Judicial BranchSupreme Court justices earn $213,900 per year.

Chief Justice earns $223,500 per year.Homework #3What is the main job of the executive branch? (Pg. 13)Who is the Commander-in-Chief of the military? (Pg. 14) Who has the power to declare war in the U.S.? (Pg. 14)Who manages the U.S. wars? (Pg. 16)What is the main job of the judicial branch? (Pg. 17)How old do federal judges have to be? (Pg. 19 tricky question)Why are there 9 justices on the Supreme Court? (E.C.)

House CommitteeBillSenateSenate CommitteeHouse of Rep.LawPres.51%+51%+Veto1. Sign Bill >66%>66%2. Veto Bill3. Ignore bill 10 days; automatically becomes law.Pocket Veto Congress adjourns before 10 day window expires, vetoing bill.Lawmaking ProcessHomework #4Is a bill a law? Define what a bill is. (E.C.)Before reaching the House or Senate floor, where do bills start? (Pg. 23)How much of a vote is needed to pass a bill in the House or Senate? (Pg. 23)What are the three options the President has once a bill reaches his desk? (Pg. 23)How much of a vote is needed to overturn a veto in both houses? (Pg. 23)Preamble of the ConstitutionAfter several years of independence, Articles of Confederation seen as weak.

Some of the weaknesses were:No national court; only state courts.No power to tax.Any changes had to be approved by all states.Any important laws had to be approved by 9 states.No real president, just chairman of Congress.

Preamble of the ConstitutionThe Preamble of the Constitution lists the 6 goals of the document.

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 and our posterity do ordain and establish the Constitution of the United States of America.Preamble of the ConstitutionForm a more perfect unionCreate a country better than the existing one.

Establish justiceCreate a system of laws for EVERYONE.

Insure domestic tranquilityAssuring the country stays peaceful through justice.

Preamble of the ConstitutionProvide for the common defenseCreating a military to protect the country.

Promote the general welfareCreating a sense of happiness, safety, and prosperity.

Secure the blessings of libertyProtecting the rights given to U.S. citizens.Bill of RightsConstitution has Amendments section; first 10 are called the Bill of Rights.

Bill of Rights were written into Constitution to protect citizens rights.

Rights were written into Constitution instead of being an understood agreement.

These rights ensure the govt cant abuse peoples personal rights.

Bill of RightsFreedom of:ReligionPressPetitionAssemblySpeech

Freedom to bear armsRight to own firearmsBill of RightsFreedom from quartering soldiers w/o permission.Soldiers cant stay in your house w/o you saying yes.

Freedom from unreasonable search & seizing of property.Govt must have warrant to search or take property.

Freedom from self-incrimination.Right to avoid answering questions that could make you appear guilty in court.Bill of RightsFreedom to a fair & speedy trial by impartial jury.Appear in court to face charges with a jury that is unbiased.

Freedom to trial by jury in civil cases totaling $20 or more.Right to avoid judges ruling on civil cases.

Freedom from cruel & unusual punishment and reasonable bail.Punishments & bail must fit crime.

Bill of RightsAll rights written in Constitution are guaranteed to citizens.

Any rights not given to U.S. or State govt are guaranteed to citizens.Homework #5How many goals are listed in the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution? (Pg. 26)What was the previous form of government used before the Constitution was written? (Pg. 25)What amendment gives people the freedom from unreasonable searches & seizing of property? (Pg. 31)What amendment gives people the freedom to peacefully assemble and petition their government? (Pg. 30)What amendment gives people the freedom from cruel & unusual punishment? (Pg. 32)