1^st 10 amendments

17 other amendments

Adopted 1791

1798 - 1993

In five days it was agreed to three major parts to the New Strong Central Government.

BRANCHES

1. Legislative
2. Executive
3. Judicial

Article I

Legislative - Connecticut Compromise: Two House Congress

-MAKES LAWS-

1. SENATE: Equal representation for each state: 1913 elected by people – 17^th Amendment (was State Legislature) New Jersey Plan

30 years old

American citizen for nine years

Resident of state

Serves a six-year term.

100 members TOTAL

2. HOUSE: Representation based on population. Virginia Plan

25 years old

Resident of state

Serves two-year term

Elected by people

American citizen for seven years

435 members TOTAL

Powers:

• Make Bills which become laws (Money Bills must come from House)
• 67% vote from Congress can override a Presidential Veto

Taxation / Bankruptcy / Inventions: Copyrights & Patents / Declares War Borrowing Money/Armed Forces/Lending/Roads/Immigration/Post Offices

• Can’t discuss Slave Trade until 1808

• No titles (examples: Duke, King, Baroness, et cetera) can be granted

POWERS FORBIDDEN TO STATES:

• No treaties / individual money making

• No import / export taxes can be made

• No foreign relations or war powers

ARTICLE II

Executive Branch: Enforces the Laws

• Elected head of government – Chief Executive – President

• As a civilian, he/she is in charge of military (remember, Congress declares war)

• Salary - $350,000.00 a year

• Has a Cabinet of Advisors that meet weekly – 15

• Makes treaties which take effect if the senate agrees – approves

• Appoints Ambassadors – Senate approves

35 years old

Natural born citizen of US

14 year resident

Maximum of two terms (22^nd Amendment 1951)

ARTICLE III:

Judicial Branch: Interprets Laws

• Supreme Court - Handles Actual Cases

• Guarantees Trial By Jury if requested – 5^th Amendment
• Federal and State Courts will exist

Appeals may reach the Supreme Court

• How many Judges? Nine – Chief Justice at head

Appointed for life with good behavior

By the President and Approved by Senate

Article IV: Concerning the States

• Cannot leave a state to avoid trial
• Marriages will be recognized throughout but divorce may not be
• All states are guaranteed a republican form of government

(A representative form of government.)

Article V: Amending the Constitution

To Propose Amendments:

2/3 of both houses deem it necessary   OR

2/3 of state legislatives (34/50)

Ratify = if ¾ state legislatures approve

Article VI: Supreme Law of Land

All public officials take an oath to support the Constitution

Article VII: To ratify the constitution 9 of 13 state conventions in the country must approve. This was done by 1788.

Ex Post Facto Law: A person cannon be guilty of a crime if the law was made after the crime was committed.

Writ of Habeas Corpus: Guarantees a court appearance that proves your arrest was lawful.