For

Arnya Koul

Mrs. Aakrati Dhar

Dr. Sahil Koul

Mrs. Julie Able

Appendix of Concepts

1. What is The Legislative Branch?

2. The Constitutional Convention

3. The Virginia Plan and The Connecticut Compromise

4. The House of Representatives and The Senate

5.  The Process of Becoming Law

6. What is The Executive Branch? 

7. Electoral College and Popular Vote 

8. Impeachment 

9. What is The Judicial Branch?

10. Courts Diagram

11. Influential Court Cases

12. Sources of Research and Further Information

 1.What is The Legislative Branch?

Article 1 of the United States Constitution establishes the legislative branch of government in the United States. The text in Article 1, Section 1 'All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives' grants Congress legislative powers. As mentioned, Congress is divided into the House of Representatives and the Senate. Article 1, section 8 of the United States Constitution fully lists the powers of Congress. The main duty of Congress is to create legislation, or in simple terms make laws. 

2. The Constitutional Convention

In 1787, delegates from 12 of the original 13 colonies met in Philadelphia to revise the Articles Of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation was an agreement between the 13 colonies to establish a weak national government before the Constitution was created at the constitutional convention. The original intent of the constitutional convention was to revise the Articles of Confederation; but the delegates decided to create a completely document. After many debates, discussions and compromises the founding fathers created the Constitution Of The United States of America which was signed by 39 delegates. The Constitution has 7 articles and has been amended 27 times. 

3.The Virginia Plan and The Connecticut Compromise

James Madison's Virginia Plan outlined a strong national government with three branches: legislative, executive and Judicial. With the legislative branch divided into two chambers, The Senate and The House of Representatives each with proportional representation; meaning that each state would have representation according to their population in government. This was controversial because smaller states would have less power in government. So, an agreement called the Connecticut Compromise came into action. This compromise gave The House of Representatives proportional representation and the Senate equal representation 

(Two members from each state).   

4. The House of Representatives and The Senate

The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of Congress. It has proportional representation, with 435 voting members. To become a representative a person must be at least 25 years old and a 7 years citizen of the United States; representatives serve two year terms. The Senate is the upper chamber of Congress. It has equal representation with a total of 100 members serving; two from each state. To become a senator a person must be at least 30 years old and a citizen from 9 years. Senators serve 6 year terms with every one third being elected every 2 years. For a bill to pass, it must be passed by the majority of both houses and then it must be signed by the president. The Speaker of The House presides over the House whereas the Vice President presides over the Senate. 

5. The Process of Becoming Law

1. Bill 'A' is originated in the House of Representatives.

2. Now a committee is debating and discussing about bill 'A'.

3. Now bill 'A' is being voted on by the full House of Representatives. (If bill 'A' is unable to get a majority vote, it is not passed.)

4. Now bill 'A' is being sent to the other chamber; The Senate to undergo a similar process.

5. Now bill 'A' is being sent to the President who will approve or veto it.

6. Bill 'A' is approved, and now it is officially the Law. (If it's vetoed by the President it can become law if Congress overrides the veto by a two-thirds majority vote in both houses.)

6. What is The Executive Branch? 

Article 2 of the United States Constitution establishes the executive branch of government in the United States. The text in Article 2, Section 1 'The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America' makes the President the head of the executive branch, and grants the President executive powers. Article 2, Section 2 of the United States Constitution makes the President the commander-in-chief of the Army, Navy and militia, it also lists the powers of the President. These powers include making treaties, appointing certain federal officials, vetoing bills, etc. The executive branch also includes the cabinet, which is an advisory body made by the 15 heads of the executive departments. 

7. The Electoral College and Popular Vote

When you vote in a general election, you vote for your candidates preferred electors; this system is called the popular vote system. This means that you are not directly electing the President or Vice-President; you are voting for a groups of electors who will later vote for the candidate. Most states, except Maine and Nebraska award all their electoral votes to the candidate that won the majority in their state. To win, a candidate needs a majority of 270 out of the total 538 electoral votes. This system is called the Electoral College. Each state has a number of electors equal to its representation in both of the houses of Congress. Hence, candidates try to win more populated states.