Segment III - Roles in the American Government

Make a list of the principles over which the American Revolution was fought? What kind of government was set up under the Constitution of the United States? Make a list of the functions of each branch of government as established by the Constitution. Click image of the Constitution at right to view a transcription of the Constition.

Each branch of government was to "check" every other branch so that no one branch would become too strong. Outline these "checks" in a diagram.

Referencing the Constitution answer the following questions:

• What three powers are forbidden to the States?
• What Article gives the President the right to veto?
• What is the President's oath of office?
• What is impeachment?
• Who has the power to impeach the President?

Why is some method of amendment necessary if a constitution is to survive?

Twenty-seven Amendments were adopted between 1789 and 1992. Have the students select one of these Amendments to write a report on.

What is the process to propose and add an amendment to the Constitution? What is the President's role in the Amendment process?

Not all proposed amendments become part of the Constitution. Read the proposed Amendment below.

Would you support this amendment? Why or why not? Present your case to your classmates.

This amendment, submitted to the States in the 11th Congress (in 1810), said that any citizen who accepted or received any title of nobility from a foreign power, or who accepted without the consent of Congress any gift from a foreign power, would no longer be a citizen.  There is some debate about whether this amendment was actually ratified or not.  This amendment is still outstanding --  meaning that a time limit was not set within the proposal for ratification of the amendment.  Beginning with the proposed Eighteenth Amendment, Congress has customarily included a provision requiring ratification within seven years from the time of the submission to the States.  

Congressional research shows that the Amendment was ratified by twelve states, the last being in 1812.

How many states are needed to ratify this amendment?

Have students work in teams to propose an Amendment for ratification to the U.S. Constitution.

Has the United States inspired others to seek independence and the establishment of a self-governing nation? Give several examples.

The Judicial Branch of the U. S. government hears cases that require interpretation or challenge legislation passed by Congress and signed by the President. It consists of the Supreme Court and the lower federal courts. The Supreme Court is composed of one Chief Justice and a number of Associate Justices. Justices are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Appointees serve for life or until they voluntarily resign or retire. Who was the first Chief Justice under the new nation and who appointed him?

Create a timeline showing the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court. Have students select a Chief Justice to research and write the individual's biography.

John Marshall (at left) was nominated to the position of Chief Justice of the United States by John Adams (at right) during Adam's presidency. Marshall served as Chief Justice for 34 years, the longest tenure of any Chief Justice. During his tenure, he helped establish the Supreme Court as the final authority on the meaning of the Constitution.

Have students research the following cases ruled on by the Supreme Court under Marshall's appointment. What was the significance of each case?

• Marbury v. Madison
• Mcculloch v. Maryland
• Cohens v. Virginia
• Gibbons v. Ogden

Current Event: On October 1, 2007 the Supreme Court began its 2007-2008 session. Have students investigate some of these current Supreme Court cases.

How does a case reach the Supreme Court?

Who is the current Chief Justice and who appointed him/her to that position? Who are the current Associate Justices?

What is the role of the Chief Justice?

When the electoral votes were in on the Presidental Election of 1800 both Jefferson and Burr has defeated John Adams. Using the tally sheet at right, how many electoral votes did each candidates receive. Put your answers in a chart like the one below. What problem do you see with the results? Examine the Constitution and determine what the next step is with a situation like this.

Be a television reporter live in Washington, DC and give the account of what is happening with this situation. Students may want to use some graphics to tell this story.

Suggested graphics:

How was this dilemma addressed in order to keep it from happening again?