U.S. Constitution - 2025

U.S. Constitution

by Ray Fortune

Power comes from the people.

Popular Sovereignty

A system of government in which people elect representatives to make decisions.

Republicanism

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Freedoms that people have that must be protected by the government.

Individual Rights

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The power of government officials is limited.

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Limited Government

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Power of government is divided between the three branches of government.

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Separation of Powers

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Each branch of government has the power to control the others.

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Checks and Balances

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Power is shared between the national government and the states.

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Federalism

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Our Constitution embodies these seven principles.

As we go through the Constitution where do you see the different principles?

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7 Principles of Government

Multiple Choice

Which Constitutional principle states that the power of government comes from the people?

• Federalism
• Republicanism
• Checks and Balances
• Popular Sovereignty

Multiple Choice

the system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other two branches

• federalism

• checks and balances

• limits and supports

• constitutionality

Multiple Choice

Which Constitutional principle states that no one is above the law and the government only has powers listed in the Constitution?

• Limited Government
• Individual Liberties
• Federalism
• Republicanism

Multiple Choice

a key constitutional principle that divides the functions of government among three branches

• federalism

• sectionalism

• separation of duties

• separation of power

Multiple Choice

Which Constitutional principle divides government power between the states and the federal government?

• Republicanism
• Popular sovereignty
• States rights
• Federalism

​Structure of the Constitution

• ​Constitution consists of a preamble and seven articles.

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• Each article is broken down into smaller sections

Structure of the Constitution

​Preamble

• Introduction to the Constitution

• Explains its purpose

​Separation of Powers

​Article 1 - Legislative Branch aka Congress

​Primary duties include:

• Representing the people

• Making laws

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Consists of:

• House of Representatives

• Senate

​Article 1 - Legislative Branch

​House of Representatives

• 435 members

• Representation based on population

• At least 25 years old

• U.S. Citizen for at least 7 years

• Live in the state they represent

• Serve a 2-year term of office

• Texas has 36 representatives

​Article 1 - Legislative Branch

​Senate

• 100 members

• Each state has 2 Senators

• At least 30 years old

• U.S. Citizen for at least 9 years

• Live in the state they represent

• Serve a 6-year term of office

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​Article 2 - Executive Branch aka President

​Primary duties include:

• Representing the country

• Enforce the laws

• Commander-in-Chief of the military

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Consists of:

• President

• Vice-President

• Cabinet

​Article 2 - Executive Branch

​Requirements:

• At least 35 years old

• Born in the United States

• Lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years

• Serves 4-year term of office

• Limited to 2 terms of office

• Chosen by Electoral College

​Article 3 - Judicial Branch

​Primary duties include:

• Interpret laws

• Decide constitutionality of laws

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Consists of two parts:

• Supreme Court – highest court in the land

• Nine members

• Led by Chief Justice

• Other lower federal courts

​Article 3 - Judicial Branch

​Requirements

• Nominated by the president

• Approved by the Senate

• Term of office is life or good behavior

Multiple Choice

the part of government that interprets the laws

• legislative

• executive

• judicial

• presidential

Multiple Choice

the part of government that carries out, the laws

• legislative

• executive

• judicial

• presidential

Multiple Choice

Who is the head of the executive branch?

• The Supreme Court
• The Senate
• The President
• The Cabinet

Multiple Choice

the lawmaking part of government

• legislative

• executive

• judicial

• presidential

​Article 4 - Relations with the States

Explains how states should cooperate, how new states can join, and how the national government supports and protects them.

• States must respect each others laws, and court decisions

• Congress decides when new states can join the country

• The federal government must protect the states

​Article 5 - Amending the Constitution

• Amending the Constitution is a two step process

• Amendments can be proposed either by a 2/3 vote by both houses of Congress or by 2/3 of the states

• Amendments must then be approved by a 3/4 vote of the state legislatures by a 3/4 vote at special sate conventions

​Article 6 - Supremacy Clause

• Federal laws are the "Supreme Law of the Land."

• Federal law is more powerful than state laws if the two ever conflict.

• States must follow the Constitution.

​Article 7 - Ratifying the Constitution

Stated 9 out of 13 states had to ratify the Constitution for it to become, “The Law of the Land”

​Amendments

​Amendment = Change

• 27 amendments to the Constitution

• Amendments 1 – 10 are known as the Bill of Rights

​Checks and Balances

Multiple Choice

What is the name for a change or addition to the Constitution?

• Amendment
• Preamble
• Ratification
• Compromise

Multiple Choice

Which amendment in the Bill of Rights deals with States Rights?

• 1
• 5
• 6
• 10

Multiple Choice

Which amendment in the Bill of Rights deals with the rights of the accused, including Due Process?

• 3
• 5
• 7
• 9

Multiple Choice

Many of our individual liberties are protected by which document?

• The Articles of Confederation
• The Declaration of Independence
• The Bill of Rights
• The Fundamental Orders 

Multiple Choice

Which amendment in the Bill of Rights prohibits cruel and unusual punishment and excessive fines?

• 3
• 4
• 6
• 8