ANYTHING from p. 32-45 in your review book is fair game...
But here are some things to focus on:
1. Preamble* (Memorize this for extra credit!! - EXTRA extra credit if you perform the Schoolhouse Rock version at the end of class...;-))
What is it? Introduction to/ states purpose of the Constitution
What is its purpose? 1) Create a union where states work together; 2) Makelaws/courts that are fair; 3) Keep peace within the country; 4) Keep the country safe from attack; 5) Contribute to security & health of citizens; 6) Make sure citizens remain free
2. Article 1: Legislative Branch; (Make the laws)
* Made up of: Senate and House of Representatives
* Candidates:
+Senate: 30 yrs. old, citizen for 9 yrs., resident of the state s/he is running in
+Representative: 25 yrs. old, citizen for 7 yrs., resident of the state s/he is running in
*Powers Denied:
1. Direct taxes, or head tax (a tax for every single person)
2. No export taxes on goods exported from any state
*Powers Granted:
1. Power to charge and collect taxes for revenue (money used to pay for gov’t expenses)
2. Organizes the naturalization process: the process an immigrant goes through to become a citizen
3. Borrowing money on the credit of the U.S.
4. Create lower federal courts
5. Provide patents and copyrights
6. Declare war
7. Coin money, or print money
*Term of Office:
Senators: 6 yrs. Representatives: 2 yrs.
*Number in office:
Senators: 2 /state; 100 total Representatives: based on population; 435 total
* Both are elected directly by the voters
3. Article 2: Executive Branch; (Enforces the laws)
* Made up mainly of President, Vice President and Cabinet
* Presidential candidates: 35+ yrs. old, natural citizen, U.S. resident for at least 14 yrs.
*Term of Office: 4 yrs.
*Limit: 2 terms
*The president is elected by the electoral college, a group of electors that represent each state. The number of electors a state has is equal to the number of senators and representatives the state has. In each state, EXCEPT Maine & Nebraska, the candidate that wins the popular vote wins all of the electoral votes.
*Amendment 25 : If a president is unable to continue serving in office for any reason (death, illness, removal, etc.), the following succeed him in order :
1. VP
2. Speaker of the House
3. President Pro- Tempore of the Senate
4. Secretary of State
5. Secretary of the Treasury
* Powers of the President
1. Commander-in-Chief of the military
2. Makes treaties with consent from the Senate
3. Appoints judges to the Supreme Court
*Impeachment: removal of federal official from office for conviction of: treason; bribery; high crimes; misdemeanors
+House brings charges against the accused
+Senate acts as a judge and jury
+Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides over the hearings (if president is being impeached; otherwise VP presides)
* VP is also president of the Senate, but only votes if there is a tie
4. Article 3: Judicial Branch: (Interprets the laws)
* Candidates are appointed, not elected
*There is no age requirement, no term limit, no residency requirement and no citizenship requirement
* Justices can hold their position for life
*The Supreme Court can hear both original (new cases) and appellate jurisdiction (appeals from lower courts)*Most are appeals from lower federal courts & the highest state courts
5. Bill of Rights
* 1st ten amendments
* Written by: James Madison
Added to the Constitution in 1791
Purpose: to clearly specify rights that citizens were guaranteed
*1st – Freedom of Speech, Religion, the Press, Assembly, to Petition
*2nd – Right to Bear Arms: buy, own and use weapons
*3rd – Quarter Troops: military cannot be housed in a private home
*4th – Search & Search: police must have a warrant to search personal property
*5th – Rights of Accused Persons: cannot be tried twice for the same crime (Double jeopardy)
*6th – Right to a Speedy, public trial:
1. near where the crime was committed
2. witness to support the accused
3. a defense attorney
* 7th – Trial by Jury if being sued for over a certain amount
*8th – Protects against unfair/excessive punishment
*9th – Rights of People: rights not stated cannot be denied
*10th – Powers of the States & People: powers not given to the US are given to the states or the people
6. More Amendments
Regarding Suffrage:
15: Right to Vote – not based on race or previous slavery (servitude)
17: Direct election of Senators – how many per state, length of term, vacancies
19: Women’s Suffrage – right for women to vote (1920)
26: 18-year-old vote: voting age changed from 21 to 18
Regarding Civil Rights/Slavery:
13: Slavery Abolished
14: Civil Rights: Anyone born or naturalized in the U.S. is a citizen & has citizens’ rights that cannot be denied
24: Abolition of Poll Taxes: ended a required tax that prevented many African Americans from voting
Regarding Prohibition
18: Prohibition – made the producing, selling, drinking or distributing alcohol illegal
21: Repealed prohibition
*To pass an amendment there are 4 paths:
***1. A proposal must be passed by a 2/3 vote from both houses of Congress, then ratified by 3/4 approval by the state legislature
2. A proposal must be passed by a 2/3 vote from both house of Congress, then ratified by a 3/4 approval at a state convention
3. A proposal must be passed by a 2/3 state legislature at a national convention then ratified by a 3/4 approval of the state legislature
4. A proposal must be passed by a 2/3 state legislature at a national convention, then ratified by a 3/4 approval at a state convention
***Most used
7. Elections:
Held every 1st Tuesday after the first Monday in November on even yrs.
8. Principles of the Constitution
* Popular Sovereignty: Government in which the people rule
*Federalism: System of gov’t in which state & national govt’s share power
*Separation of Power: Branches of the gov’t have different roles (or jobs) No one branch gets all the power (Example: Congress makes laws, Executive enforces, Judicial interprets)
*Checks and Balances: Each branch can check the power of another to make sure that each is being fair and following the Constitution
9. Miscellaneous:
Elastic Clause – allows future generations to expand the meaning of the Constitution and deal with current issues
Democracy – majority rule; concerned with group wants or needs (the public good).
Republic – a gov’t in which the people elect representatives to govern for them; recognizes the inalienable rights of individuals
Filibuster - a tactic that blocks the passage of a bill by giving speeches
Census - an official count of members of a population; usually done atregular intervals
Revenue - income the gov’t collects to cover expenses
Veto - a vote that blocks a decision; to refuse to sign
* How a Bill becomes a Law http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEJL2Uuv-oQ and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf2q66G3lmM&feature=related