PRINCIPLES OF THE
CONSTITUTION
CHAPTER 8, LESSON #1
OUR CONSTITUTION
Based on 7 important principles:
1.Popular Sovereignty
 Authority of the PEOPLE!
 Foundation of our government
 Established and explained in the
PREAMBLE (Introduction statement)
OUR CONSTITUTION
2.
Nation is a REPUBLIC
People rule through elected
representatives.
Representatives make laws and
conduct gov’t on peoples’
behalf.
OUR CONSTITUTION
3.
Limited Government
Powers are strictly defined
Wanted strong government
that would not take peoples’
rights away.
OUR CONSTITUTION
4.
Federalism
 Power divided between federal gov’t and
states.
 Enumerated Powers: powers that are
specially given to Congress.
 Reserved Powers: are those powers that
belong to the states.
 Concurrent Powers: Shared powers.
 10th Amendment: declares all powers not
granted to the federal government “are
reserved to the States.”
OUR CONSTITUTION
5.
Separation of Powers
 Power is separated between the
legislative, executive, and judicial
branches.
 This means no person or group can get too
much power,
 Each has different limited powers, duties,
and responsibilities.
OUR CONSTITUTION
6.
Checks and Balances
Each branch can check or limit
the power of another branch.
Maintains balance of power
OUR
CONSTITUTION
7.
Individual Rights
• Freedom of religion
• Freedom of speech and of the press
• Freedom to assemble in groups and to protest
against the government
• The right to bear arms
• The right to a speedy and public trial by jury
• The right to be free from unreasonable searches
and seizures by the government
• Freedom from "cruel and unusual" punishments
AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION
Article 5 of the Constitution
Describes how to amend (make changes)
to the Constitution.
Allows Constitution to adapt or change
with the times.
Requires 2/3 votes from both houses
and 3/4 state votes to ratify.
AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION
 13th Amendment: Outlawed slavery.
 14th Amendment: Gave citizenship to anyone
born in U.S. (including slaves).
 15th Amendment: Gave African American men
the right to vote.
 19th Amendment: Gave voting rights to women.
 24th Amendment: outlawed poll taxes, giving
more people the ability to vote.
 26th Amendment: lowered the voting age to 18.