US Constitution
8-3.3
I. Articles of Confederation
A. The US used the
Articles from 1783
until 1789.
B. The Articles derived
their power from the
states.
1.
This made them too
weak to control the
states.
C. The Constitution was
written in 1787,
ratified in 1788, and
used in 1789.
II. What the Constitution does
A. The Constitution gave the
US a limited gov’t.
1. The power is derived from
the people.
2. The power is shared
between the states and
national gov’t.
B. The Bill of Rights
guarantee the rights of
individuals.
II. What the Constitution does
C. The Constitution is
the highest law in
the US.
1. State and local laws
have to conform or
they are
unconstitutional.
2. Even state
constitutions have
to conform.
III. Basic Principles
A. Popular sovereignty
1.
The government’s power
comes from the people living
under that gov’t.
B. Individual rights
1.
2.
Rights are given to every
American citizen.
They are given in the Preamble
and detailed in the Bill of
Rights.
C. Limited government
1.
2.
Gov’t powers are restricted.
Protects people from the gov’t.
III. Basic Principles
D. Federalism
1. This system splits gov’t
powers between the
national and state
gov’ts.
E. Representative
democracy
1. Voters have the power,
but not every American
could vote on every
issue.
2. We elect
representatives to do
the work for us.
III. Basic Principles
F. Separation of powers
1. Having three branches
ensures that no one branch
has too much power.
2. It forces them to work
together.
G. Checks and balances
1. These are rules that allow
a branch to make sure the
others don’t abuse their
power.
2. A good example is the
game Rock, Paper, Scissors
Section 8-3.3 Study Guide
• What document originally served as the
foundation of government for the United States?
• What was wrong with the Articles of
Confederation?
• What document was written in 1787 that
replaced the Articles of Confederation as the U.S.
foundation of government?
• What kind of government did the Constitution of
the United States establish?
• What was the purpose of the Bill of Rights?
Section 8-3.3 Study Guide
• What is the highest law in the United States?
• What are the seven basic principles of
American government?
• Define popular sovereignty.
• Define individual rights.
Section 8-3.3 Study Guide
• Define federalism.
• Describe how the U.S. uses Separation of
Powers.
• What is the purpose of using checks and
balances?
• Define limited government.
• Describe representative democracy.