The Five Principles Underlying the United States Constitution

I. Popular Sovereignty

• The power lies with the people.

• A representative democracy lets the people elect leaders to make decisions for them.

II. Rule of Law• Framers wanted to guard against tyranny.

• Government officials are limited to the power given to them in the Constitution.

• The Constitution tells how leaders who overstep their power can be removed.

III. Separation of Powers

• No one holds “too much” power.

• Legislative branch makes the laws.

• Executive branch carries out the laws.

• Judicial branch interprets the laws.

Legislative Branch• Make laws• House of Representatives

– 435 members– Serves a two year term– Must be 25 years old and a citizen for 7 years– Can propose tax laws– Can impeach a president

• Senate– 100 members– Serves a six year term– Must be 30 years old and a citizen for 9 years– Can approve presidential appointments– Ratify treaties with foreign governments– Can try the President after impeachment

• Can propose laws• Can declare war• Can override a president’s veto with 2/3

vote• Can propose amendments to the

Constitution with a 2/3 vote

Legislative Branch

Executive Branch• The President of the United States• Enforces laws• Serves a 4 year term• Must be 35 years olds, a 14 year resident, and native

born• Has power to approve or veto laws• Makes treaties with foreign governments• Nominates judges to the Supreme Court• Appoints cabinet members• Is Commander-in-Chief of military

Judicial Branch• Supreme Court and other Federal Courts.

• Interprets laws

• Justices serve for life

• Declares laws and acts “unconstitutional”

• Can settle disputes involving the U.S.

• Can settle disputes between states.

• Chief Justice resides over impeachment trial of the President.

IV. Checks and Balances

• Prevents the abuse of power in government

• Each branch can check each other branch

Checks

& Balanc

es

ExecutiveChecksOn the

Legislative

ExecutiveExecutive

LegislativeJudicial

* Can propose laws

* Can veto laws

* Can call specialsessions of Congress

* Makes appointments

* Negotiates foreign treaties

* Can grant pardons to federal offenders

ExecutiveChecks On theJudicial

* Appoints federal judges

LegislativeChecks On theJudicial

LegislativeChecksOn the

Executive

* Can impeach and remove judges

* Create lower federal courts

* Can propose amendments to overrule judicial decisions

* Approves appointments of federal judges

Executive

Judicial

Legislative

* Can override President’s veto

* Confirms executive appointments

* Ratifies treaties

* Appropriates money

* Can impeach and remove President

Legislative

* Can declare Executive actions unconstitutional

Executive

Judicial

Judicial Checks onthe Executive Branch

* Can declare acts of Congress unconstitutional

Judicial Checks onthe Legislative Branch

V. Federalism• The division of power between State and

National Governments.

• Some powers are shared.

• The National Government has the “supreme power”.

Key Topic

Main idea

is about…

So What? (What’s important to understand about this?)

Main idea Main idea

FederalismThe Constitution establishes a division of power between the ________________and ________________governments

Nat’l gov’t powers

_______ powers

Powers _______ or _______

Foreign policy- _______ , _______ Regulate Commerce- _______

Regulate currency- _______

State gov’t powers

_______ powers

Powers not given to the nat’l gov’t are _______ for state governments

Public _______

Public safety- _______

Public welfare- _______ , _______

Shared powers

_______ powers

Powers shared by _______ gov’t and _______ gov’ts

Enforce _______

Establish _______

Collect _______

The Constitution _______ or _______ powers to both the national government and the state governments.

Borrow _______ Establish a _______ system

Key Topic

Main idea

is about…

So What? (What’s important to understand about this?)

Main idea Main idea

FederalismThe Constitution establishes a division of power between the national and state governments

Nat’l gov’t powers

Supreme powers

Powers expressed or impliedForeign policy- wars, treatiesRegulate Commerce- tradeRegulate currency- money

State gov’t powers

Reserved powers

Powers not given to the nat’l gov’t are reserved for state governments

Public health

Public safety- police

Public welfare- education, elections

Shared powers

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by nat’l gov’t and state gov’ts

Enforce laws

Establish courts

Collect taxes

The Constitution denies or limits powers to both the national government and the state governments.

Borrow moneyEstablish a postal system

5 Principles Underlying the Constitution• _________________ _________________ – power lies w/ the

people• _________________– all people must follow the law• _________________ _________________ – power is divided

among the 3 branches• _________________ and _________________ – each branch

checks on the others to make sure one doesn’t become too powerful

• _________________– power is shared between the federal and state governments

1. _________________(_________________ ) powers – powers left to the federal gov’t

2. _________________ powers – powers left to the states

3. _________________ powers – powers shared by both

5 Principles Underlying the Constitution

• Popular Sovereignty – power lies w/ the people• Rule of Law – all people must follow the law• Separation of Powers – power is divided among the 3

branches• Checks and Balances – each branch checks on the

others to make sure one doesn’t become too powerful• Federalism – power is shared between the federal and

state governments1. Expressed(implied) powers – powers left to the federal gov’t

2. Reserved powers – powers left to the states

3. Concurrent powers – powers shared by both

Amendment Process(2 ways)

1. _________________ _________________

• _________________ vote by both houses

2. _________________ _________________

• 2/3 states _________________ request it

• _________________ of states ratify it

» Only _________________ Amendment done this way

Amendment Process(2 ways)

1. Congressional Action

• 2/3 vote by both houses

2. National Convention

• 2/3 states legislatures request it

• ¾ of states ratify it

» Only 21st Amendment done this way