The Principles of the Constitution

1. The Principles of the Constitution

2. What are we learning until October 29, 2013? • Unit 4 is the Principles of the Constitution. • We are studying this unit until October 29, 2013 and we will test on that day. • The test will be the District Benchmark.

3. Grievances of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights

4. What are grievances and why are they in the Declaration of Independence? • Grievances are complaints. • The Declaration of Independence listed all of America’s complaints against the British.

5. Why are grievances in the Constitution? • The Constitution fixes/solves many of the complaints from the Declaration of the Independence.

6. Which grievances are solved in the Constitution?

7. The Principles of the Constitution Introduction

8. What are Principles? • A principle is a kind of rule, belief, or idea that guides you. • A person who has principles is a good, decent person.

9. How do Principles work in the Constitution? • Principles guide the Constitution, just how principles guide people. • Principles are the values and beliefs of the country and help us make decisions.

10. What are the Seven Principles of the Constitution? • Popular Sovereignty • Republicanism • Separation of Powers • Checks and Balances • Limited Government • Individual Rights • Federalism

11. Popular Sovereignty and Republicanism

12. What is Popular Sovereignty? • Popular Sovereignty means the government is controlled by the people. • Example(s) – People can run for office, campaign for individuals who run, or protest decisions made by other, and vote.

13. Where is Popular Sovereignty found in the Constitution? • Popular Sovereignty is found in the Preamble of the Constitution. • “We the People” means the people are in charge.

14. What is Republicanism? • Republicanism means people vote for people to represent their views in Congress. • In our country, we have voted for 435 Representatives and 100 Senators. They make our nation’s laws.

15. Where is Republicanism found in the Constitution? • Republicanism is found in Article 1 of the Constitution. • “The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People”.

16. Separation of Powers

17. What is Separation of Powers? • Separation of Powers divides the powers of government into 3 branches, Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.

18. What is the Legislative Branch? • The Legislative Branch is also called Congress. • The Legislative Branch passes laws. • The Legislative Branch has two houses. The House of Representatives and the Senate.

19. What is the Senate? • The Senate is the “upper house” of the Senate. • It has 100 members. Each state gets two members.

20. What is the House of Representatives? • The House is the “lower house” of Congress. • The House has 435 members. • House membership is based on the population of each state.

21. House of Representative Map

22. How do the Senate and House work together to pass laws? • In order for a law to pass, it has to pass both the House of Representatives and the Senate. • The Great Compromise created this situation.

23. What is the Executive Branch? • The Executive Branch is the President, the Vice President, and the people who work for them. • The Executive Branch enforces the laws. They make sure the laws are followed.

24. What is the Judicial Branch? • The Judicial Branch is the Supreme Court and the lower courts that work beneath it. • The Judicial Branch interprets the laws.

25. Where are Separation of Powers found in the Constitution? • Separation of Powers is in Articles 1, 2, and 3 of the Constitution where each branch is given its roles and responsibilities.

27. Checks and Balances

28. What are Checks and Balances? • Each of the 3 branches of government has a little control, or check, on the other 2 branches. • Example – Federal judges are nominated by the President, but have to be approved by Congress.

29. What is a veto? • The President can reject a law by not signing it. • If the President does not sign a bill, it cannot become a law.

30. What is an override? • Congress can ignore a Presidential veto if 2/3 or 67% of Congress passes the law.

31. What is Judicial Review? • Judges can declare a law unconstitutional and stop laws that have already passed. This power is called Judicial Review.

32. Where are Checks and Balances found in the Constitution? • Checks and Balances are found in Articles 1, 2, and 3 of the Constitution. Where each branch is given power over the others.

34. Limited Government and Individual Rights

35. What is Limited Government? • Limited Government means everybody has to follow the same laws, even members of the government. • If a Representative breaks a law or abuses his/her power, he/she would face a trial just like everybody else.

36. Where is Limited Government found in the Constitution? • Articles 1, 2, and 3 explain why/how each member of government can get in trouble. • The Bill of Rights explains what the government cannot do.

37. What are Individual Rights? • Individual Rights are personal liberties and privileges that people are born with and can not be taken away.

38. Where are Individual Rights found in the Constitution? • The Bill of Rights contains our Individual Rights.

39. Federalism

40. What is Federalism? • Federalism is a system of government in which powers are shared by the national and state governments. • The states and national governments share powers and work together.

41. How does Federalism work in Criminal Justice? • Powers are shared between the National Government (Washington D.C.) and the different states/cities. • FBI= National • Sheriff= States • El Paso Police= Local.

43. Where is Federalism found in the Constitution? • The 10th amendment is called the federalism amendment. • Article 4 explains how federalism works.

44. The Amendment Process

45. Why do we amend the Constitution? • The Constitution has 27 changes/additions. • These changes are called amendments. • The Constitution is changed when the nation changes and the nation wants new rights/rules.

46. What are some famous amendments? • The Bill of Rights (1-10)- Protects our individual rights. • 13th Amendment- Ended slavery. • 19th Amendment- Women can vote.

47. How do we amend the Constitution? • It is very hard to amend the Constitution. • First, it must be proposed (introduced) by 2/3 of the states or Congress. • Then, it must be ratified (approved) by 3/4 of the states.