US Constitution and Government Overview

The US Constitution

The US Constitution outlines the federal government of the USA, written in 1787. The framers included George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin.

• Ratified in 1788, replacing the Articles of Confederation (1781).
• Preamble establishes justice, tranquility, and liberty.
• Establishes a republic with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
• Addresses power balance, new states, amendments, and ratification.
• The first 10 amendments are called the Bill of Rights added in 1791, preserving the rights of the people such as freedom of speech, religion, etc.)
• 27 amendments in total.

Key Principles of the Constitution

1. Government derives power from the people.
2. Limited government with enumerated powers.
3. Federalism: dispersed power among national, state, and local governments.
4. Separation of powers: legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
5. Checks and balances: each branch limits the others.
6. Flexibility: adaptable through amendments with $2/3$ of Congress and $3/4$ of the states required.

Structure of Federal Government

Legislative Branch

• Led by Congress (Senate + House of Representatives), which makes laws.

Executive Branch

• Carries out laws, led by the president and vice president.

Judicial Branch

• Includes the federal court system, with the Supreme Court as the highest court; interprets laws.

Legislative Branch Details

Senate:

• 2 senators per state, 6-year term, 9 years of citizenship, minimum age: 30.
• Confirms appointments, approves treaties, conducts impeachment trials.

House of Representatives:

• 435 members, 2-year term, 7 years of citizenship, minimum age: 25.
• Brings impeachment charges, initiates revenue bills, selects president if no majority.

How a Bill Becomes Law

1. Proposed.
2. Debated in both houses.
3. Voted on.
4. Goes to the president.
5. President signs or vetoes.

Executive Branch Details

President:

• Four-year term, limited to two terms.
• Appoints Cabinet, ambassadors, Supreme Court justices.
• Head of state, directs foreign policy, leads political party, commander-in-chief.
• Grants pardons, issues executive orders.

Vice President:

• Presides over the Senate.
• Assumes presidency if needed.

Judicial Branch Details

Supreme Court:

• Highest court with 9 justices serving lifelong terms.
• Hears cases, judicial review to assess constitutionality.
• Final, binding decisions.

Political Parties

• Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans in early US history.
• Since 1854, Democrats and Republicans are major parties.

Democrats:

• Liberal.
• Blue.
• Donkey.
• Founded 1824

Republicans:

• Conservative.
• Red.
• Elephant.
• Founded 1854

Key Issue Positions: