Basic Principles found throughout
the United States Constitution
2012
• To make sure that each branch is not too powerful “Power should
be a check to power.”
• The President is the commander-in-chief of the army and the
navy, but only Congress can declare war in the Executive Branch.
• Congress approves presidential nominations in the Legislative
Branch.
• http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_some_examples_of_Chec
ks_and_Balances
FEDERALISM
Power divided between central governments
and states.
Right to bear arms. Federal gives broad
rule and states individualize it.
Gay rights are federal but
states decide to narrow it
down on what.
INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS
Definition: Individual rights are personal rights that
apply to yourself
2 Examples:

Freedom of speech

Freedom to protest
Picture: Native rights protest



Everybody must obey the law.
People may not manipulate the law for their
interests.
Ex. President Brett wants a hot tub so he
decides to force all hot tubs to be free.
A government were people rule
Examples
• The people voting for the president
• People inputting ideas to leaders
Republicanism
Definition: A form of government in which the people
elect people to represent them.
Ex: Voting for the candidate you want to be president.
Ex: Voting for senator.
Definition: The separation of government
makes 3 different groups and they have 3
different roles. No group is given all of the
power.
 Examples: The 3 groups
Legislative-Makes the laws
Executive- Enforces the laws
Judicial- Interprets the laws

SEVEN BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION
· POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY- the government’s right to rule comes from the people
· LIMITED GOVERNMENT- the government has only the powers that the Constitution
gives to it
· SEPARATION OF POWER- the Constitution divides the government and its duties
into three branches:
Congress- legislative branch makes laws
President- executive branch carries out the laws
Courts- judicial branch explains and interprets the laws
· CHECKS AND BALANCES- each branch of government has the power to check or
limit the actions of the other branches
· FEDERALISM- division of power between the federal government and the states.
· REPUBLICANISM- citizens elect representatives to carry out their will
· INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS- the Constitution protects individual rights such as freedom of
speech, freedom religion, etc.
On the back of this page – in each square, name the principle,
briefly summarize it in your own words (using less than 10
words), and draw a picture that shows what the principle means.
Color your pictures. Be neat, original, and creative.
The Seven
Principles of
the United
States
Constitution