The U.S. Constitution

Introduction to the Constitution that explains our government’s purpose

• Preamble
• Acknowledgments
• Foreword
• Chapter 1

Division of power among the three branches of government

• Separation of Powers

• Executive Branch

• Checks and Balances

• The President and his Cabinet

Part of the government that passes laws and is made up of the two houses of Congress

• Judicial Branch

• Supreme Court
• Legislative Branch

• Executive Branch

Part of the government that is headed by the President and carries out the laws

• Judicial Branch

• Executive Branch

• Legislative Branch

• Congress

Part of the government that decides the meaning of the laws and is headed by the Supreme Court

• Judicial Branch

• Executive Branch

• Legislative Branch

• The President

System that gives each branch of the government the power to limit the other branches

• Total control
• Unlimited power
• Checks and balances
• Absolute authority

What does "We the People..." mean?

• All the people living in this country

• The government has to keep laws fair and protect rights

• The government has to help make the country better and stronger

• The government has to keep peace in the country

What does "...in order to form a more perfect union..." mean?

• The people create the government and give the government its power

• The government has to keep laws fair and protect rights

• The government has to help make the country better and stronger

• The government has to keep peace in the country

What does "...establish justice..." mean?

• The people create the government and give the government its power

• The government has to keep laws (justice) fair and protect rights

• The government has to help make the country better and stronger

• The government has to keep peace in the country

What does "...insure domestic tranquility..." mean?

• The people create the government and give the government its power

• The government has to keep laws fair and protect rights.

• The government has to help make the country better and stronger

• The government has to keep peace in the country and make sure all the states get along