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The Principles of the United States Constitution

The Principles of the United States Constitution. SS Core-9 October 12, 2012. Agenda. Writing Prompt Finish Constitution Scavenger Hunt (discuss) Read “What is the Constitution” 5 Principles of the U.S. Constitution Presentation

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The Principles of the United States Constitution

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  1. The Principles of the United States Constitution SS Core-9 October 12, 2012

  2. Agenda • Writing Prompt • Finish Constitution Scavenger Hunt (discuss) • Read “What is the Constitution” • 5 Principles of the U.S. Constitution Presentation • Learning Target: Students will know the five principles of the constitution and understand their purpose in American government

  3. Who influenced the Framers? • England’s Magna Carta • Representative Government • Limited Government Power • Enlightenment Thinkers • John Locke – Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness • Rousseau – Government is a contract between the government and the people • Montesquieu – 3 branches of government = separation of powers

  4. Popular Sovereignty • Simply put, the people have the power • The people elect representatives in free and frequent elections • Citizens over the age of 18 can vote • “We the People of the United States…do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

  5. Limited Power • Feared tyranny • Shared powers between the national and state governments • The people give the government power; and can take them away • Constitution clearly states what the government can and can not do • The people pushed the Framers to include the Bill of Rights to further limit the power of the government

  6. Federalism • Sharing of powers • Power is divided between the federal (national) government and the state governments • The constitution tells: • Which powers the federal government has • Which powers are shared • Unspecified laws are left to the states • Supremacy Clause (Article VI, Clause 2) • The Constitution is the “Supreme Law of the Land”

  7. Separation of Powers • 3 branches • Legislative • House of Representatives / Senate • Power to collect tax, coin money, and declare war • Makes laws • Executive • The president and his cabinet • Enforce the laws • Deal in foreign and military affairs • Judicial • Supreme Court • Interpret laws

  8. Checks and Balances • A system of checks by one branch on the other two branches • Prevents one branch of government from abusing its power • Prevents unconstitutional decisions

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