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8th Grade Social Studies
Safford Middle School
U.S. Constitution
The U.S. Constitution is also known as the “Supreme Law of
the Land.” Its opening paragraph, also known as the
Preamble, introduces its purpose. It states:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more
perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility,
provide for the common defence, promote the general
Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and
our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the
United States of America.
Further, the Constitution also sets up the government,
defines the government and protects the basic rights of
Americans.
Constitutional Amendment
Article V of U.S. Constitution allows for
the Constitution to be amended or added to
or changed. Therefore, an amendment is
an addition or change to the constitution.
Bill of Rights
In the United States, the Bill of Rights is the name by
which the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution
are known. They were introduced by James Madison to
the First United States Congress in 1791 as a series of
constitutional amendments, and came into effect on
December 15, 1791, when they had been ratified by threefourths of the States.
st
1
Ten (10) Amendments
1st Amendment
The 1st Amendment lists the following
rights or protections:
•  Freedom of Religion
•  Freedom of Speech
•  Freedom of Press
•  Right of people to gather together
•  Right to Petition the government
Amendments
The U.S. Constitution has been amended
27
times
The Declaration of Independence
On July 4, 1776 the Second Continental
Congress approved the Declaration of
Independence. This document was a:
•  Statement of basic human rights
•  List of complaints against the King and British
government
•  Declare independence from Great Britain
The Declaration of Independence
“We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights, that among these are
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
That to secure these rights, Governments
are instituted among Men, deriving their
just powers from the consent of the
governed.”
Article I
Legislative Branch
Article I of U.S. Constitution describes the
Legislative Branch including both houses,
Senate and House of Representatives. It
includes qualifications for members,
powers, code of conduct, and more. The
Legislative branch makes all federal
laws. However, the U.S. President has
power to veto laws.
The United States Congress
Term
Senate
House of Representatives
6 years
2 years
Term
Limits
No limits
Total #
100
435
# from
each state
2
Proportional Representation
Salary
$165,000
$165,000
Qualifications
•  U.S. Citizen at least 9 years
•  At least 30 years of age
•  Live in home state
•  U.S. Citizen at least 7 years
•  At least 25 years of age
•  Live in home state
U.S. Census
The purpose of the census is to count state
population to determine the number of
representatives in each. This also affects the
number of electoral votes each state has in
general elections.
Number of Representatives
Based on State Population
Presidential Term
 Serve maximum of two
4 year terms (22nd
Amendment)
  Annual Salary:
$400,000
Line of Succession
  Vice President
  Speaker of the House
  President pro tempore of the Senate
  Secretary of State
  other cabinet members in order
Presidential Cabinet
The United States Cabinet is composed of
the most senior appointed officers of the
executive branch of the federal government of
the United States. They advise and assist him
in his duties. Cabinet officers are nominated
by the President and then presented to the
United States Senate for confirmation or
rejection.
Article II
Executive Branch
Article II of U.S. Constitution describes the Executive
Branch of government, including the qualifications for the
office of president.
  at least 35 years of age
  born a U.S. citizen
  reside in the U.S. at least
14 years
Article III
Judicial Branch
Article III of U.S. Constitution describes
the Judicial Branch of government
including the creation of the U.S. Supreme
Court.
9 Justices
Federalism
Federal Government
State Government
(Reserved)
Shared Powers
(Concurrent)
Congressional (Federal) Powers
  Collect taxes
  Borrow money
  Regulate trade
  Make laws
  Coin money
  Declare war
  Other as necessary and proper
(Elastic Clause)
Democratic and Republican
Liberal
Conservative
Who Can Vote?
Amendments 14, 15, 19, 24 and 26
  United States Citizen
  At least 18 years of age
(26th Amendment)
  Registered voter