U.S. Constitution and Government Structure: Key Concepts and Processes

Constitution

The document that created the U.S. government and explains its powers and structure.

Constitution signed

September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

3 branches of government

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

Legislative Branch

The branch that makes laws.

Congress

The Legislative Branch; made up of the House of Representatives and Senate.

House of Representatives

One of the two houses of Congress; representation is based on state population.

Senate

One of the two houses of Congress; every state has 2 senators.

Article I

The part of the Constitution that explains the Legislative Branch and Congress.

Main job of Congress

Make laws for the country.

Why laws can be hard to pass

Members of Congress often disagree because they have different opinions and interests.

How citizens have a voice

By voting and contacting their representatives.

Capitol Building

The building in Washington, D.C., where Congress meets and conducts business.

Capitol cornerstone

George Washington laid it in 1793.

Capitol burned

During the War of 1812.

Congressional jobs

Make laws, raise taxes, spend money, declare war, and regulate commerce.

Bill

A proposed law that must go through Congress before it can become a law.

Step 1: Introduce

A bill is introduced to Congress.

Step 2: Committee

A committee reviews the bill and may make changes.

Step 3: Debate + vote

Members discuss the bill and vote on it.

Step 4: Other chamber

The bill goes to the other house for another debate and vote.

Step 5: President

The bill goes to the President for approval or veto.

Veto

When the President rejects a bill.

Veto override

Congress can override a veto with a 2/3 vote.

Constituents

The people an elected official represents.

Why Congress struggles to agree on laws

One party might disagree while another agrees; members have different opinions and interests.

Declaration of Independence location

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the Pennsylvania State House.

Articles of Confederation

The document that governed the United States before the Constitution.

Weaknesses of the Articles

Congress could not levy taxes or raise an army.

James Madison

Founding Father, major contributor to the Constitution, Virginian, and 4th President.

Madison's view of government

Government is necessary because people are not perfect, so government needs limits and controls.

Why Madison did not present his ideas

He disliked speaking to large groups and wanted someone with more political influence.

Edmund Randolph

Presented Madison's ideas at the Constitutional Convention because he had political influence.

Virginia Plan

A plan that favored large states and based representation on population.

Virginia Plan: Representation

States with more people would receive more representation.

Virginia Plan: Congress

Created a 2-house Congress with both houses based on population.

Virginia Plan: Government

Created 3 branches and a strong national government.

William Paterson

Proposed the New Jersey Plan.

New Jersey Plan

A plan that favored small states and gave every state equal representation.

New Jersey Plan: Congress

Created a 1-house Congress where each state had 1 vote.

New Jersey Plan: Government

Kept the Articles of Confederation but strengthened the national government.

Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey Plan

Virginia favored large states and population-based representation; New Jersey favored small states and equal representation.

Federal law

Under both plans, federal law was considered more powerful than state law.

Delaware

The state that threatened to leave the Union if small states did not get fair representation.

Roger Sherman

Led the group that proposed the Connecticut Compromise.

Connecticut Compromise

Created a 2-house Congress combining both plans.

House representation

Based on population.

Senate representation

Equal for every state.

2 senators per state

Every state gets 2 senators, regardless of population.

Benjamin Franklin's quote

"A republic, if we can keep it" means citizens must participate and hold their government accountable.

Ways to get involved

Vote, contact officials, stay informed, learn about laws, peacefully protest, and participate in the community.

Only branch elected by the people

Legislative Branch.