“Principles Underlying the
Constitution”
Learning goal:
SWBAT
interpret the intentions of the
preamble
Our Government’s Purpose

Throughout our
constitutional
government there are
five underlying
principles, or goals, of
our government.
1. “Popular Sovereignty”
“Popular Sovereignty”
“Popular Sovereignty” is
the belief that the power
lies with the “people”
(right of the people to
rule)
 “We the People…”
 Power comes from the
“consent of the
governed”…

“Popular Sovereignty”
“Republic” is where the
“people” choose those to
represent their interests in
government.
 We have this form of
Representative Democracy
here. (Think of the Pledge of
Allegiance)
 The right of the people to
vote gives us the chance to
vote and choose our leaders.

2. “Rule of Law”
“Rule of Law”

Stemming back to the
Magna Carta and The
English Bill of Rights,
our Constitution
believes that the
government should have
certain limits.
 The government is
limited by the law – and
it applies to everyone!
3. “Federalism”
“Federalism”
“Federalism” means that
the states give up some of
their powers to the
national government.
 video
 National and state
governments share
powers – this limits the
power of the federal
government by giving
power to the states.

Powers are Divided
“Expressed” Powers

“Expressed”
(“enumerated” or
“delegated”) Powers
are specifically
granted to the
federal (U.S.)
government only!
“Expressed” Powers

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“Necessary & Proper”
laws
Regulating all trade
Conducting foreign
affairs
Raise & support armies
Coin or print money
Create postal system
Govern U.S. territories
Regulate immigration
“Reserved” Powers

“Reserved” Powers
are kept by the state
governments.

These are powers
that are NOT
specifically
mentioned in the
Constitution.
“Reserved” Powers

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Provide for public
safety, health, welfare
within state
Regulate trade within
state
Create local
governments
Conduct elections
Establish public
school systems.
“Concurrent” Powers

“Concurrent” Powers
are where the
authority of the
federal (U.S.) and
state governments
overlap, or are
shared.
“Concurrent” Powers

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Enforce the laws
Establish courts
Collect taxes
Borrow money
Provide for the
general welfare
th
10
Amendment

“The powers not delegated
to the United States by the
Constitution, nor
prohibited by it to the
States, are reserved to the
States respectively, or to
the people”

Powers not given to the
national government
automatically go to the
states.
video
The ConstitutionThe FINAL Authority
Supreme Law of the Land
Article 6
Called the Supremacy
Clause
– the Constitution is the final authority in all
matters!
4. “Separation of Powers”
“Separation of Powers”

Inspired by French
philosopher
Montesquieu.

Believed the best way
to protect the rights
of the “people” is
limit the powers of
government
“Separation of Powers”

The 3 “branches” of
government are:
– Legislative – make the
laws
– Executive – enforce the
laws
– Judicial – interpret the
laws.

NO SINGLE
“BRANCH” IS MORE
POWERFUL AS
POWERS ARE
SEPARATE! Video
5. “Checks & Balances”
“Checks & Balances”
“Checks & Balances”
helps keep any one
branch from
becoming too
powerful.
 Each “branch” can
check (or restrain)
the powers of the
others. Limits the
power of the govt.

“Checks & Balances”

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The President can
appoint justices to the
Supreme Court with
Congress’ approval.
The Senate can “check”
the President by
approving or rejecting
appointments.
The President can
“check” Congress by
vetoing laws and naming
federal judges. video
“Checks & Balances”

The House can
impeach an official
for misconduct in
office if they commit
a wrongful act.
“Checks & Balances”

The Supreme Court
can declare the laws
made by Congress
unconstitutional.
“Checks & Balances” SHR