United States Constitution
Popular
Sovereignty
Republicanism
Federalism
Separation
Of
Powers
Checks
And
Balances
Limited
Government
Individual
Rights
7 Principles of the Constitution
United States Constitution
★ The Framers of the Constitution constructed a new system
of government based on seven fundamental principles.
Together they form the foundation of this living document
known as the United States Constitution.
Popular Sovereignty
★ Popular
sovereignty is
the idea
that
the
government’s authority comes from the people and
reflects their will - - a government in which the
people rule. This philosophy was expressed during
the Enlightenment period by John Locke and JeanJacques Rousseau.
The Framers were deeply
influenced by these ideas.
Popular Sovereignty
★
Who Gives the Government Its Power?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The
The
The
The
Supreme Court
President
people
Senate
That’s right !
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Republicanism
★ Republicanism is usually defined as representative
democracy. That is, the people elect representatives to
make laws and exercise the power of government. The
Framers of the Constitution believed that voters were
capable of making good choices in selecting the leaders who
would govern the nation.
Republicanism
★
How are people’s views represented in
government?
A. The people themselves make laws.
B. The people elect representatives to
make laws and exercise the powers of
government.
C. The speaker of the house makes laws.
D. The Supreme Court makes laws.
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Federalism
★ The Framers wanted the states and the nation to
become partners in governing.
To build
cooperation, the Framers turned to federalism
which requires both a strong central government
and vigorous local governments (such as states).
Federalism
Powers delegated
to the
Shared
(concurrent)
powers
National Government
Powers reserved
for the
State Governments
Federalism
★
How is the power shared?
A. Each state has power over their own
state.
B. Power lies primarily with the states,
while the central government has
limited power.
C. Power lies primarily with the central
government and the states have
limited power.
D. Power is divided between a central
government and smaller political units,
such as states.
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Separation of Powers
★ The Framers of the Constitution were concerned
that too much power might fall into the hands of a
single group.
They deliberately pitted the
branches of government against one another to
create a separation of powers.
Separation of Powers
★
How is power divided?
A. Laws
are
made,
enforced
and
interpreted by the executive branch.
B. All branches make, enforce and
interpret laws.
C. The legislative branch makes and
enforces the laws, the executive branch
interprets laws.
D. The legislative branch makes laws, the
executive branch enforces laws, and
the judicial branch interprets laws.
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Checks and Balances
★ The Framers included a system of checks and balances
in the Constitution to help make sure that the
branches work together fairly.
Each branch of
government can exercise checks, or controls, over the
other branches (limiting the power of government).
James Madison described this principle as a method of
“keeping each other in their proper places.”
Checks and Balances
★
How is power evenly distributed?
A. By having the judicial branch check
only on the executive branch.
B. By limiting the power of government
with checks or controls over the other
branches.
C. By having the legislative branch check
on the judicial branch.
D. By having the President check on
Congress.
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Limited Government
★ The Framers restricted the power of government
with the principle of limited government which is
closely related to the “rule of law” – in the American
government everyone, citizens and powerful leaders
alike, must obey the law. Individuals or groups
cannot twist or bypass the law to serve their own
interests.
Limited Government
★
How is abuse of power prevented?
A. By allowing government employees to
twist the law to serve their own
interests.
B. By allowing Presidents to defy the “rule
of law.”
C. By the principle that requires all U.S.
citizens, including government leaders,
to obey the law.
D. By allowing the executive branch to
enforce laws not yet made.
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Individual Rights
★ The first ten amendments to the Constitution shield
people from an overly powerful government. These
amendments, called the Bill of Rights, guarantees
certain individual rights, or personal liberties and
privileges.
Individual Rights
★
How are personal freedoms protected?
A. With the amendment process.
B. By having Congress conduct an
impeachment trial.
C. By having the President grant a pardon
for a federal offense.
D. With the first ten amendments of the
Constitution (Bill of Rights).
That’s right !
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Interesting Links
★http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution_q_and_a.html
★http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution_founding_fathers.html
★http://www.supremecourtus.gov/
★http://memory.loc.gov
★http://www.whitehouse.gov
★http://bensguide.gpo.gov/
★http://www.gpoaccess.gov/advancedsearch.html
★http://smithsonianeducation.org/tools/about.html
References
Checksandbalances. Retrieved on November 26, 2005 from
http://www.historyisgroovy.com/documents/unit03_constitution/checks_balances_graphic.JPG
Checksandbalancesoverview. Retrieved on November 26, 2005 from
http://www.judicial.state.ia.us/students/misc.asp
Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com
DN-0089733, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society. Retrieved on November 25,
2005 from http://memory.loc.gov
Ilikeike. Credit: Dwight D. Eisenhower Library. Retrieved on November 25, 2005 from
http://teachpol.tcnj.edu/amer_pol_hist/thumbnail420.html
Photo by Krisanne Johnson. Retrieved November 25, 2005 from
http://www.whitehouse.gov/independenceday/2004/photoessays/images/p45083-113jas-398h.jpg.
Signing of the Constitution, September 17, 1787.. IRC. (2005). Retrieved November 20, 2005, from
unitedstreaming: http://www.unitedstreaming.com/
The signing of the U.S. Constitution.. IRC. (2005). Retrieved November 20, 2005, from unitedstreaming:
http://www.unitedstreaming.com/
3Branchesofgovt. Retrieved on November 26, 2005 from
http://www.students.mcneese.edu/trubin/branches.htm
TIME cover, April 30, 1973. Retrieved on November 26, 2005 from
http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,1101730430,00.html
Wethepeoplelg (2005). Retrieved November 25, 2005, from
http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/activities/wethepeople/index.html