The document provides an overview of the key elements of the US Constitution, including the three branches of government (legislative, executive, judicial) and how they check each other's powers. It also discusses the preamble, amendments, and how power is shared between the federal and state governments through federalism.

1. Constitution NotesConstitution Notes
 TitlethenextpageinyournotebookConstitutionNotes.TitlethenextpageinyournotebookConstitutionNotes.
 Copy thefollowingnotesinCornellstyle.Copy thefollowingnotesinCornellstyle.
 You will be writing questions at home tonight.You will be writing questions at home tonight.
 There are 14 slides of information to take notes on.There are 14 slides of information to take notes on.

2. The ConstitutionThe Constitution
 TheConstitutionisthesupremelawofthelandTheConstitutionisthesupremelawoftheland

3. PreamblePreamble
 The introduction to the Constitution isThe introduction to the Constitution is
called the Preamble.called the Preamble.
 The Preamble begins with the phraseThe Preamble begins with the phrase
“We the people…”“We the people…”
 This means that the government is basedThis means that the government is based
on the consent of the people.on the consent of the people.

4. AmendmentAmendment
 A change in the ConstitutionA change in the Constitution
 There have been 27 amendments to theThere have been 27 amendments to the
Constitution.Constitution.
 The first 10 amendments are called theThe first 10 amendments are called the
Bill of Rights.Bill of Rights.

5. The Branches of GovernmentThe Branches of Government
 There are three branches of government:There are three branches of government:
1. The legislative - which makes the laws1. The legislative - which makes the laws
2. The executive - which enforces the laws2. The executive - which enforces the laws
or make sure the laws are carried outor make sure the laws are carried out
3. The judicial - which interprets the laws or3. The judicial - which interprets the laws or
explains the laws and makes sure they areexplains the laws and makes sure they are
fairfair

6. Legislative BranchLegislative Branch
 The legislative branch is called CongressThe legislative branch is called Congress
and is made up of two Houses (parts):and is made up of two Houses (parts):
The House of Representatives andThe House of Representatives and
the Senate.the Senate.

7. The House of RepresentativesThe House of Representatives
 States with the largest populations haveStates with the largest populations have
the most representatives in the House.the most representatives in the House.
 House members must be at least 25 yearsHouse members must be at least 25 years
old or older to serve.old or older to serve.
 House members are elected to a two yearHouse members are elected to a two year
term.term.
 There are 435 members in the House ofThere are 435 members in the House of
Representatives.Representatives.

8. The SenateThe Senate
 The Senate is the other part of theThe Senate is the other part of the
CongressCongress
 There are two senators for each state,There are two senators for each state,
which means of course there are 100which means of course there are 100
Senators.Senators.
 Senators must be at least 30 years old.Senators must be at least 30 years old.
 Senators are elected to a six year term.Senators are elected to a six year term.

9. The Executive BranchThe Executive Branch
 The executive branch is headed by theThe executive branch is headed by the
president.president.
 The president is the commander-in-chiefThe president is the commander-in-chief
of the armed forces.of the armed forces.

10. The PresidentThe President
 The president is elected to a four yearThe president is elected to a four year
term.term.
 The president can only serve two terms.The president can only serve two terms.
 The president must be a citizen by birthThe president must be a citizen by birth
 The president must be at least 35 yearsThe president must be at least 35 years
old.old.

11. The Judicial BranchThe Judicial Branch
 The Judicial Branch of the federalThe Judicial Branch of the federal
government is headed by the Supremegovernment is headed by the Supreme
Court.Court.
 Supreme Court justices are nominated bySupreme Court justices are nominated by
the president and approved by the Senate.the president and approved by the Senate.
 There are 9 Supreme Court justices, whoThere are 9 Supreme Court justices, who
are appointed for life.are appointed for life.

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13. Checks and BalancesChecks and Balances
 The framers of the ConstitutionThe framers of the Constitution
established a system of checks andestablished a system of checks and
balances to prevent any branchbalances to prevent any branch
government from getting too powerful.government from getting too powerful.
 Example: Congress has the right to passExample: Congress has the right to pass
bills into law, but the president can vetobills into law, but the president can veto
them, which means the bill does notthem, which means the bill does not
become a law.become a law.

14. More examplesMore examples
 If the president vetoes a law, theIf the president vetoes a law, the
Congress can override his veto by a 2/3Congress can override his veto by a 2/3
majority.majority.
 The Supreme Court can say that any lawThe Supreme Court can say that any law
is unconstitutional. The law no longeris unconstitutional. The law no longer
exists.exists.

15. FederalismFederalism
 The power of government is also splitThe power of government is also split
between the states and the federalbetween the states and the federal
government.government.
 This is called Federalism.This is called Federalism.
 If the Constitution does not have a law, theIf the Constitution does not have a law, the
states can do what they want.states can do what they want.
 State law cannot contradict federal law.State law cannot contradict federal law.

16. Dual SovereigntyDual Sovereignty
 Dual Sovereignty means that whatever theDual Sovereignty means that whatever the
federal government does not make a lawfederal government does not make a law
about, the states can act however theyabout, the states can act however they
choose.choose.
 That is why there is different state lawsThat is why there is different state laws
regarding the age of drinking alcohol,regarding the age of drinking alcohol,
driving, the death penalty, and manydriving, the death penalty, and many
more.more.