Institutions of Government

Preamble

Sets the purpose and guiding principles of the Constitutiom.

Article I

Legislative Branch; responsible for making laws.

Article II

Executive Branch; responsible for enforcing laws.

Article III

Judicial Branch; responsible for interpreting laws.

Amendments

27 total; the first ten are known as the Bill of Rights.

First Amendment

Guarantees freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

Fourth Amendment

Provides protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Fifth Amendment

Ensures the right to due process and protection against self-incrimination and double jeopardy.

Sixth Amendment

Guarantees the right to a fair and speedy trial.

Fourteenth Amendment

Provides equal protection under the law and extends Bill of Rights protections to states.

Expressed Powers

Powers directly granted to the federal government, such as declaring war.

Implied Powers

Powers necessary to execute expressed powers, such as establishing banks.

Reserved Powers

Powers held by states, such as education.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by federal and state governments, such as taxing.

Senate

Composed of 100 members (2 per state) serving six-year terms.

House of Representatives

Has 435 members serving two-year terms, based on population.

Legislative Process

Bills must pass both houses and be signed by the President.

Commander-in-Chief

The President's role in overseeing the military.

Chief Diplomat

The President's role in managing foreign policy.

Chief Legislator

The President's role in signing or vetoing legislation.

Chief Executive

The President's role in enforcing federal laws.

Chief of State

The President serves as a symbolic leader.

State Department

Handles foreign affairs.

Defense Department

Responsible for military and national defense.

Justice Department

Enforces laws at the federal level.

Education Department

Manages federal education programs.

Health and Human Services

Oversees public health and social services.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the U.S., consisting of nine justices.

Lower Federal Courts

Includes Courts of Appeals and District Courts.

Judicial Review

The power to declare laws/actions unconstitutional, established by Marbury v. Madison.