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U.S. Government. Basic Principles. Interpret: Review. What didn’t the framers of the Constitution want to repeat in 1787?. Interpret: Review. But what were they worried about happening if they went too far?. Principles of the Constitution. Popular Sovereignty
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U.S. Government Basic Principles
Interpret: Review What didn’t the framers of the Constitution want to repeat in 1787?
Interpret: Review But what were they worried about happening if they went too far?
Principles of the Constitution Popular Sovereignty • All Political Power Resides in the people • Without the people’s consent, there would be no government
Principles of the Constitution Limited Government • No government is all-powerful • Government may only do those things that the people have given it the power to do *Government must obey the law! *The Constitution is that law
Principles of the Constitution Separation of Powers • The Federal (National) Government has its powers distributed over three branches • Congress • The President • The Supreme Court • A System of Federalism Also Distributes Powers Between The National Government and The States
Principles of the Constitution Checks and Balances • Each branch of government retains only certain powers • This ensures that one branch of government cannot become more powerful than another • Each branch also has ways to “check” or limit the powers of the other branches of government
The Three Branches of Government • Legislative Branch (Congress) • Makes Laws • Executive Branch (The President) • Enforces Laws • Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) • Interprets Laws
Checks and Balances: Review How Does Federalism Fit Into This System of “Checks and Balances”?