What are the main principles of
the US Constitution?
• Identify the 6 principles that form our
Constitution
• Meaning and purpose of each principle
• Examples
How do you see these principles in your everyday life?
US Constitution Quick Facts
• Signed into being on September 17, 1787
• 3 Parts
o Preamble: Introduction, establishes the purpose
of government
o Articles: 7 articles which provides guidelines for
how the government will operate
o Amendments: 27changes to the original
document
What are the main principles of the US Constitution?
What is a Principle?
What are the main principles of the US Constitution?
What is a Principle?
• A principle is a basic rule that guides and
influences thought or action...
• Principles guide our decision making, thus help to
keep us in order.
What are the main principles of the US Constitution?
6 Principles of the US Constitution
1. Popular Sovereignty
2. Limited Government
3. Separation of Powers
4. Checks and Balances
5. Judicial Review
6. Federalism
The government follows these principles when
making laws and decisions.
What are the main principles of the US Constitution?
1. Popular Sovereignty
The people are the source of power.
Popular = People
Sovereignty = Power
What are the main principles of the US Constitution?
1. Popular Sovereignty
What are the main principles of the US Constitution?
1. Popular Sovereingty
What are the main principles of the US Constitution?
2. Limited Government
Government powers are
limited to what is written in
the constitution.
Magna Carta
Example: The police
cannot search or seize
your property without
demonstrating cause and
getting a warrant.
English Bill of Rights
What are the main principles of the US Constitution?
3. Separation of Powers
Make the Laws
Enforce the Laws
Interpret the Laws
The framer's did not want one part of government to
become too powerful.
What are the main principles of the US Constitution?
4. Checks and Balances
Definition: Each branch of government has some power
over the other two branches.
• Makes government less efficient but also less likely to
trample on the rights of citizens
Purpose: Preventing any one branch from having too much
power.
Example: If Congress makes a law , what can the
President do if the president does not agree with it?
What are the main principles of the US Constitution?
5. Judicial Review
• Courts decide if government acts violate the constitution.
o Final authority on what the constitution says.
• Marbury v. Madison established judicial review
What are the main principles of the US Constitution?
6. Federalism
• Power is divided between national, state, and local
governments.
• Each level has its own responsibilities.
What are the main principles of the US Constitution?
Task
• Each group will be assigned a principle
o Locate where in the constitution your principle is
found.
o Provide an example of your principle.
• Expert groups will teach the rest of the class.
What are the main principles of the US Constitution?