Principles of the
United States
Constitution
Objective
Analyze how the U. S. Constitution
reflects the principles of limited
government, republicanism, checks and
balances, federalism, separation of
powers, popular sovereignty and
individual rights
Principles of Limited Government
Restriction on the power of the government
Constitution spells out the powers of each
branch of government
Congress makes the laws
President executes those laws
Judiciary interprets those laws
Constitution identifies the powers denied to
Congress and to the States
Principles of Limited Government
Continued
The Constitution states
that powers not granted to
the national government
are kept by the states or
the people
Republicanism
Definition of Republicanism is a form of
government in which people elect
representatives to make and carry out
laws
The Constitution states that citizens
elect members of Congress
The Constitution guarantees each state
a republican form of government
Checks and Balances
Definition of Checks and Balances
is a system of controls on the
power of government in which
each branch of government checks
the power of the other branches
Congress and pass laws, but the President
can refuse to approve them
The President can make treaties and appoint
Supreme Court judges but the Senate must
approve these treaties and appointments
The Supreme Court can rule on cases
involving the Constitution, national laws,
treaties, and states’ conflicts. The Supreme
Court can decide that an act of Congress or
the President is unconstitutional.
Congress can impeach and remove the
President and federal judges
Federalism
Definition of Federalism is a system of
government in which the state and
national government share power
The Constitution spells out the powers
of the national government and states
that national law is the supreme law of
the country.
The Constitution states that powers not
delegated to the national government
belong to the states or the people
Federalism Continued
The Constitution identifies the power
denied the Congress and the states
The Constitution declares that states
must honor one another’s laws, records
and court rulings
The Constitution requires the approval
of the states for Constitutional
amendments
Separation of Powers
The division of basic government roles into
different branches with no one branch having
all the power
The first three articles of the Constitution
state how powers are split among the three
branches of government
Congress makes the laws, and the President
enforces them and the judiciary interprets
them
The President is the commander of the armed
forces, but only Congress can declare war
Popular Sovereignty
The government gets its authority from
the people and reflects their will
The preamble begins “We the people of
the United States … do ordain and
establish this Constitution…”, which
indicates that the government’s
authority comes from the people.
Popular Sovereignty Continued
The Constitution states that the people will
elect representatives. All citizens
18 years and older are allowed to vote
The Constitution declares that the people or
the states keep any powers not delegated to
the national government
The Constitution guarantees all citizens the
same rights and equal protection of the laws
Individual Rights
Liberties and privileges guaranteed to
each citizen
The Bill of Rights guarantees freedom
of religion, speech, the press, and
assembly as well as right to petition the
government and the right to equal
protection under the law.
Later amendments abolish slavery and
extend voting and other individual
rights to all citizens 18 years and older
Review Question # 1
An example of checks and balances in the U.S.
Constitution is the provision that
(A) The President can refuse to approve laws
passed by Congress
(B) The Senate must approve Supreme Court
appointments made by the President
(C) The Supreme Court can declare a law
unconstitutional
(D) All of the above
Correct Answer
(D) All of the above
Review Question # 2
Which of the following is the best example of
the principle of limited government
in the U.S. Constitution
(A) All people are granted freedom of religion
(B) The Constitution identifies powers denied to
Congress and to the states
(C) Congress has the power to make laws
(D) Citizens elect representatives to Congress
Correct Answer
(B) The Constitution
identifies powers
denied to Congress and
to the states
Review Question # 3
How does the U.S. Constitution reflect the
principle of republicanism
(A) The President has the power to veto laws
passed by Congress
(B) The state or the people keep any powers
not delegated to the federal government
(C) The Supreme Court can declare a law
unconstitutional
(D) Citizens elect representatives to Congress
Correct Answer
(D) Citizens elect
representatives
to Congress
Review Question # 4
Which of the following provisions of the
U.S. Constitution provides a check on
the power of the President
(A) The President can make treaties
(B) Each state is guaranteed a republican
form of government
(C ) Congress can impeach a President
(D) The President can refuse to approve
laws passed by Congress
Correct Answer
( C ) Congress can
impeach a
President
Review Question # 5
The principle of checks and balances is
most strongly related to the principle
of
(A) Limited Government
(B) Popular Sovereignty
(C) Republicanism
(D)Individual Rights
Correct Answer
(A) Limited
Government
Review Question # 6
The U.S. Constitution states that the
people elect representatives to
Congress. Which of the following
principles does this provision reflect
(A) Federalism
(B) Popular Sovereignty
(C) Separation of Powers
(D)Checks and Balances
Correct Answer
(B) Popular
Sovereignty
Review Question # 7
The U.S. Constitution reflects the Principle of
Federalism by stating that
(A) Powers not delegated to the national
government belong to the states or the
people
(B) The government is divided into three
branches
(C) All citizens have the right to equal
protection of the law
(D) All citizens 18 years and older can vote
Correct Answer
(A) Powers not
delegated to the
national government
belong to the states or
the people
Review Question # 8
Which part of the U.S. Constitution deals
primarily with guaranteeing individual
rights
(A) Article 1
(B) Article 2
(C) Article 3
(D)The Bill of Rights
Correct Answer
(D) The Bill of Rights
Review Question # 9
The division of the government into
three
branches with distinct powers reflects
the principle of
(A) Federalism
(B) Popular Sovereignty
(C) Separation of Powers
(D)Checks and Balances
(C ) Separation of
Powers