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The Impact of the U.S. Constitution. Basic Principles. 1. Authority comes from the people The people formed the U.S. government First line of the Constitution: “ We the people of the United States . . .do ordain and establish this constitution . . . “. Basic Principles.
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Basic Principles 1. Authority comes from the people • The people formed the U.S. government • First line of the Constitution: “We the people of the United States . . .do ordain and establish this constitution . . . “
Basic Principles 2.The Social Contract • The Constitutionis an agreement between the people and their government. • The main purpose of government is to protect individual rights
Basic Principles 3. Individual Rights • Every person has natural rights. • A person cannot be deprived of life, liberty or property without a trial
Basic Principles 4. Rule of Law • No one is above the law, not even the king • The Constitution is the supreme law of the land
Basic Principles 5. Limited Government • The government’s power is limited by law
Basic Principles 6. Consent of the Governed • Leaders represent the people
Basic Principles 7. Separation of Powers • Power is divided among three branches • Congress makes laws, President enforces the law, Supreme Court interprets the law
Basic Principles 8. Balance of Power • Each branch checks the power of the other two • No branch becomes too powerful