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Principles of the United States Constitution

Principles of the United States Constitution. Pat Steed 8 th Grade United States History Vivian Field Middle School Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD Dallas, Texas. Democracy is Guaranteed !.

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Principles of the United States Constitution

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  1. Principles of the United States Constitution Pat Steed 8th Grade United States History Vivian Field Middle School Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD Dallas, Texas

  2. Democracy is Guaranteed! Magna Carta’s principle of Rule of Law was paramount in the minds of the Founding Fathers. They based the Constitution on: Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Federalism Separation of Powers Checks and Balances

  3. Popular Sovereignty • Popular Sovereignty means ‘People Rule’ • First 3 word of the Constitution guarantee ”We the People…” have the final authority • The citizens vote for the representatives who make the laws for the nation

  4. Limited Government Framers of Constitution remembered cruelties suffered by Colonies under British Monarchy, so they adopted Locke’s philosophy - • Our country would be ‘Ruled by Law’ • The Constitution is…”The Supreme Law of the Land” • The powers of the national government would be spelled out in the Constitution • Individual rights are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights and future Amendments

  5. Federalism • Power in the government is shared between the federal and state governments • The Articles of Confederation showed the importance of a strong central government • Founders also believed that the state governments would better understand the special needs and concerns of their citizens

  6. Separation of Powers Division of the operations of the national government into branches with their own powers and responsibilities • Founding Fathers studied Montsquieu’s “The Spirit of Laws” to include his idea of ~ Three Branches of Government: • The Legislative Branch – makes the laws • The Executive Branch – carries out the laws • The Judicial Branch – interprets the laws

  7. Checks and Balances • The delegates to the Constitutional Convention didn’t want any one branch assuming more power than necessary, so……. • Each branch can check, or control, the power of the other two branches; For example: • President can veto laws passed by Congress • Congress can impeach and remove President • Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional

  8. Sources: • American Journey – The Quest for Liberty to 1877 Texas Edition Textbook;Prentice Hall-Division of Simon & Schuster,1992. • Microsoft ClipArt Design Gallery Live • Microsoft Encarta CD-Rom: pictures from “Constitution of the United States”

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