7 principles of the Constitution (Pg 37)

1. 7 principles of the Constitution(Pg 37)

2. The Preamble • Introduction to the US Constitution – 1 sentence • States where power comes from • Lists the 6 goals of US government We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

3. “We the People of the United States” • The power of the US government is in the hands of the people “Form a more perfect union” • Act as one country “Establish justice” • The law must be reasonable, fair, and impartial “Insure domestic tranquility” • Keep peace within the country; maintain order at home

4. Preamble “Provide for the common defense” • Protect US interests in the world “Promote the general welfare” • Provide people with basic services “Secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity” • Guarantee our freedoms today and for future generations

5. Power to the people • The Framers had a common vision for the government: It should be representative of the people and limited in scope.  Section 4-4 • Power should be divided among different levels.  • To achieve these ends, the Framers embraced five principles as the backbone of the Constitution: popular sovereignty, rule of law, separation of powers, checks and balances, independent judiciary, individual rights and federalism. (pages 89–90) Click the mouse button or press theSpace Bar to display the information.

6. Popular Sovereignty • Article IV guarantees a republic, in which supreme power belongs to the people(popular sovereignty). Section 4-5 • The people express their will through elected representatives.  • Provisions, such as those about the right to vote, ensure popular sovereignty. • Amendments have expanded this power • 15th Amendment- 1870(African-Americans) • 17th Amendment-1913 (public elects Senators) • 19th Amendment- 1920( Women) • 26th Amendment- 1971 (lowers the age to 18) (pages 89–90) Click the mouse button or press theSpace Bar to display the information.

7. Popular Sovereignty (cont.) What does “popular sovereignty” mean? Section 4-6 Popular sovereignty is the notion that power lies with the people. Taken apart, “sovereignty” means the right to rule and “popular,” in this case, means the population or public. (pages 89–90) Click the mouse button or press theSpace Bar to display the answer.

8. Rule of Law • The Framers believed the government should be strong but not too strong.  Section 4-7 • The Constitution sets limits by stating what government may and may not do.  • Government is also limited by the rule of law. • This means that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern. (page 90) Click the mouse button or press theSpace Bar to display the information.

9. Rule of Law (cont.) How does the rule of law limit government? Section 4-8 The rule of law means that no one is above the law, even government leaders. No one may break the law or escape its reach and provides for ways to remove politicians who break the law. (page 90) Click the mouse button or press theSpace Bar to display the answer.

10. Separation of Powers • To keep any one person or group from becoming too powerful, the Framers divided government into three branches with different functions.  Section 4-9 • This split of authority among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches is called the separation of powers. (page 91) Click the mouse button or press theSpace Bar to display the information.

11. Legislative House of Reps directly to the people Senate Directly to the people after the 17th amendment Judicial Chosen by the President Approved by the Senate Separation of PowersConstituency • Executive • Electoral College

12. Legislative Law Makers Congress House of Reps Senate Judicial Law- interpreters Supreme Court Federal Courts State Courts Separation of Powers • Executive • Law-Enforcers • Presidents • V.P. • Cabinet

13. Legislative House of Reps 2 yrs Senate 6 yrs Judicial Life Ability to impeach if necessary Separation of PowersTerm Length • Executive • President • 4 yrs • 2 term limit • 22nd Amendment

14. Checks and Balances • Checks and balances keep any one branch from becoming too powerful.  Section 4-11 • Each branch can check, or restrain, the power of the others.  • For example, the president can veto laws, Congress can block presidential appointments, and the Supreme Court can overturn laws it finds contrary to the Constitution. (page 91–92) Click the mouse button or press theSpace Bar to display the information.

15. Checks and Balances (cont.) What are some ways that Congress can check the powers of the other branches? Section 4-12 Congress can block presidential appointments and treaties, control spending by the executive branch, and, in cases of serious wrongdoing, remove the president from office. Congress can also reject judicial appointments and remove unfit judges. (page 91–92) Click the mouse button or press theSpace Bar to display the answer.

16. Federalism • Under federalism, power is shared by the national government and the states.  Section 4-13 • Americans must obey the laws of both.  • Enumerated or expressed powers are powers the Constitution specifically grants to the national government.  • Powers not given to the national government are reserved powers kept by the states.  • Powers that both levels of government can exercise are concurrent powers. (pages 92–93) Click the mouse button or press theSpace Bar to display the information.

17. Federalism (cont.) • When national and state laws conflict, the Constitution is the final authority.  Section 4-14 • Neither the national nor state governments may act in violation of it.  • It provides the government sufficient power to keep order, protect, and defend, yet sets limits to avoid tyranny. Click the mouse button or press theSpace Bar to display the information.

18. Federalism (cont.) What are some examples of concurrent powers? Section 4-15 Concurrent powers include the power to enforce the laws, establish courts, collect taxes, borrow money, and provide for the general welfare. Click the mouse button or press theSpace Bar to display the answer.

19. Independent Judiciary • Independent Judiciary keeps the politics out of the court system.  Section 4-11 • The judicial branch is established as an independent entity.  • The Supreme court is the hightestauthority in the federal court system (page 91–92) Click the mouse button or press theSpace Bar to display the information.

20. Individual Rights • Rights and Liberties are protected multiple times from government involvement Section 4-11 The amendments are a continuing expansion of this principal (page 91–92) Click the mouse button or press theSpace Bar to display the information.

21. Checking for Understanding Define Match the terms on the right with their definitions on the left. A __ 1. the split of authority among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches __ 2. a system in which each branch of government is able to check, or restrain, the power of the others __ 3. the notion that power lies with the people __ 4. principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern A. separation of powers B. popular sovereignty C. rule of law D. checks and balances Section 4-16 D B C Click the mouse button or press theSpace Bar to display the answers.