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Section 1
Foundations of the
U.S. Constitution
GOALS
• Identify the 4 documents that
formed our nation
• Explain how the U.S. Constitution
addresses and protects citizen’s
civil rights
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4 Documents that formed the
United States
1. Declaration of Independence
– July WHAT?
– Document created by the people
from the original 13 colonies.
– Gives the people the rights they
desired
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2. Articles of Confederation
– Common government before they
created the U.S.Constitution.
– Established:
• Terms limits of Congressmen
• power to declare war/peace,
• postal system
• the President
• National defense (paid by gov.)
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• Optional state payments to the U.S. treasury
• Two-thirds vote for a bill to pass
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3. U.S. Constitution
– March 4, 1789. 9/13 ratified it.
– Creates the foundation/framework
of the federal government
4. Bill of Rights
– 1st ten amendments of U.S.
constitution.
– Gives the PEOPLE the rights they
claimed in the Dec. Of Ind.
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Which amendment most vitally
protects your civil rights?
Freedom of:
•Speech
•Press
•Assemble
•Religion
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What is Due Process of law?
Even though the Constitution doesn’t tell you
what it means, through U.S. Supreme Court
cases it means:
“fairness in our legal and court systems”
Amendments 4-8
Slavery
• Originally practiced under the Constitution.
• If you were a slave and escaped, you were
sent back to your master.
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Right to Vote
• Many groups were denied the ability to
vote.
– Slaves (15th & 24th amendment)
– Women (19th amendment)
– People under 21. (26th amendment)
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Section 2
Division & Balance of
GOVERNMENTAL POWERS
What is a system
of checks and
Gives specific
balances? authority to each
Legislative
of the 3 branches
of gov.
Executive
Judicial
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3 Branches of Government
1. Legislative (creates)
– Senate: Two members from every
state. (100 total)
– House of Representatives: # of
seats given is depended on the
state population.
• Before a law is created, the law has
to go through both bodies.
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Impeachment Cases
A trial involving a government
official for misconduct in
office. House impeaches,
Senate gives the trial.
*legislative branch
Richard Nixon &
William “Bill” Clinton are the
only Presidents to be impeached
Which Illinois Governor was impeached?
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3 Branch of Gov. Cont.
2. Executive (Enforces)
– Headed by President and Vice
President.
– Even though the people vote on the
president, it is the electoral college
that really determines who wins.
*1824,1876,1888,2000 elections.
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Political Party
Private organization of citizens (people) who
select and promote candidates (people) for
election to public office.*Executive branch
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3 Branch of Gov. Cont.
3. Judicial (Interprets)
– Headed by the U.S. Supreme Court
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Before a federal law can pass,
it has to go through the
approval of
ALL 3 BRANCHES
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
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The real meaning of Amendment
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IntERstate vs. IntRAstate
Commerce
• Interstate: Trade between states.
– Illinois doing business with Florida
– Federal jurisdiction
• Intrastate: Trade within its own borders.
– Two businesses in Illinois trading with
each other.
– State jurisdiction
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