7 Principles of the Constitution

• Article VI defines the Constitution as the “supreme law of the land”

• ALL laws in the U.S. must follow the Constitution, and federal law overrides state law

Popular Sovereignty

Who gives the government its power?

• popular sovereignty – government in which the people rule

• Preamble starts with “We the People …”

Republicanism

What do these pictures have in common?

Republicanism

• Republic – government by elected officials

• Republicanism – the people elect their representatives to make laws and decisions

Who represents the people?

city councilstate

legislature

U.S. Congress

… and many other elected bodies and individuals

Limited Government

How is abuse of power prevented?

• Limited government – requires that all government leaders (even the president!) have to obey the law

• Keeps government from having total control of its citizens

Separation of Powers

How is power divided?

• the Constitution created three branches of government

• Each branch has separate powers

How is power divided?• Article I• Legislative branch (Congress = House of

Representatives + Senate))• function – makes the laws• Serve constituents (voters)

How is power divided?• Article II• Executive branch (president)• function – enforces the laws

(agencies)• Serves the country

How is power divided?• Article III• Judicial branch (Supreme Court)• function – interprets the laws – decides if they

are constitutional• Serves the Constitution

Checks & Balances

How is power evenly distributed?

• checks and balances – each branch of the government can check, or control, the other branches

• helps the branches work together fairly

Example of checks and balances:

The president (executive branch) nominates Supreme Court justices (judicial branch) BUT the Senate (legislative branch) has to confirm the nomination

Federalism

How is power shared?

• federalism – national, state and local levels of government

• Each level has different responsibilities but works together with the others

How is power shared?Ex. – law enforcement

National - Local -

State -

Individual Rights

How are personal freedoms protected?

• The government works to protect the rights of its citizens

• Bill of Rights – first 10 amendments to the Constitution list citizens’ rights