The Principles of the United States Constitution

2. The Principles of the United States Constitution

3. I. Popular Sovereignty • The people hold the ultimate authority. • A representative democracy lets the people elect leaders to make decisions for them. • Mary Landrieu, David Vitter, Bobby Jindal, William Jefferson, Charlie Melanco, Jim McCrery, Rodney Alexander, Richard Baker, and Charles Boustany are our elected officials.

4. II. Limited Government • Framers wanted to guard against tyranny. • Government is limited to the power given in the Constitution. • The Constitution tells how leaders who overstep their power can be removed.

5. III. Federalism • The division of power between State and National Governments. • Some powers are shared. • The National Government has the “supreme power.”

6. IV. Separation of Powers • No one holds “too much” power. • Legislative branch makes the laws. • Executive branch carries out the laws. • Judicial branch interprets the laws.

7. Legislative Branch • Senate and House of Representatives • Make our laws • Appropriate Money • Regulate Immigration • Establish Post Offices and Roads • Regulate Interstate Commerce and Transportation • Declare War

8. Executive Branch • The President of the United States • Chief Executive • Chief of State • Chief Legislator • Commander in Chief

9. Judicial Branch • Supreme Court and other Federal Courts • Preserve and protect the rights guaranteed by the Constitution • Considers cases involving national laws • Declares laws and acts “unconstitutional”

10. V. Checks and Balances • Prevents the abuse of power in government • Each branch can check each other branch

11. Executive Checks • Propose laws to Congress • Veto laws made by Congress • Negotiate foreign treaties • Appoint federal judges • Grant pardons to federal offenders

12. Legislative Checks • Override president’s veto • Ratify treaties • Confirm executive appointments • Impeach federal officers and judges • Create and dissolve lower federal courts

13. Judicial Checks • Declare executive acts unconstitutional • Declare laws unconstitutional • Declare acts of Congress unconstitutional • The Supreme Court holds the final check

14. Show What You Know QUIZ

15. Who holds the ultimate authority in our government? • A. The President • B. The People • C. The Military • B. The People

16. What part of the government is the Legislative Branch? • A. Congress and House of Representatives • B. Supreme Court • C. President of the United States • A. Congress and House of Representatives

17. What part of the government is the Executive Branch? • A. Congress and House of Representatives • B. Supreme Court • C. President of the United States • C. President of the United States

18. What part of the government is the Judicial Branch? • A. Congress and House of Representatives • B. Supreme Court • C. President of the United States • B. Supreme Court

19. Which branch of government makes our laws and regulate immigration? • A. Legislative • B. Executive • C. Judicial • A. Legislative

20. Which branch of government propose laws to Congress and grants pardons to federal offenders? • A. Legislative • B. Executive • C. Judicial • A. Executive

21. Which branch of government declares war and establishes post offices and roads? • A. Legislative • B. Executive • C. Judicial • A. Legislative

22. Which branch of government preserves and protects the rights guaranteed by the Constitution andconsiders cases involving national laws? • A. Legislative • B. Executive • C. Judicial • A. Judicial

23. Which branch of governement veto laws made by Congress and appoints federal judges? • A. Legislative • B. Executive • C. Judicial • A. Executive

24. Which branch of governemnt declares laws unconstitutional and holds the final check? • A. Legislative • B. Executive • C. Judicial • A. Judicial