7 principles of the

Constitution(Pg 37)

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.

“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

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

Power to the people • The Framers had a common vision for the

government: It should be representative of the people and limited in scope.

• 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.Click the mouse button or press the

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(pages 89–90)

Popular Sovereignty• Article IV guarantees a republic, in

which supreme power belongs to the people (popular sovereignty).

• 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)

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(pages 89–90)

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What does “popular sovereignty” mean?

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.

Popular Sovereignty (cont.)

(pages 89–90)

Rule of Law • The Framers believed the government

should be strong but not too strong. • 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.

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(page 90)

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How does the rule of law limit government?

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.

Rule of Law (cont.)

(page 90)

Separation of Powers • To keep any one person or group from

becoming too powerful, the Framers divided government into three branches with different functions.

• This split of authority among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches is called the separation of powers.

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(page 91)

Separation of Powers Constituency

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

Executive• Electoral

College

Separation of Powers

Legislative• Law

Makers• Congress

– House of Reps

– Senate

Judicial• Law-

interpreters• Supreme

Court– Federal

Courts– State

Courts

Executive• Law-

Enforcers• Presidents

– V.P.– Cabinet

Separation of Powers Term LengthLegislative• House of

Reps– 2 yrs

• Senate– 6 yrs

Judicial• Life

– Ability to impeach if necessary

Executive• President

– 4 yrs– 2 term limit

• 22nd Amendment

Checks and Balances • Checks and balances keep any one

branch from becoming too powerful. • 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.

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(page 91–92)

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What are some ways that Congress can check the powers of the other branches?

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.

Checks and Balances (cont.)

(page 91–92)

Federalism• Under federalism, power is shared by

the national government and the states. • 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.

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(pages 92–93)

Federalism (cont.)

• When national and state laws conflict, the Constitution is the final authority.

• 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.

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What are some examples of concurrent powers?

Concurrent powers include the power to enforce the laws, establish courts, collect taxes, borrow money, and provide for the general welfare.

Federalism (cont.)

Independent Judiciary• Independent Judiciary keeps the politics

out of the court system. • The judicial branch is established as an

independent entity. • The Supreme court is the

hightestauthority in the federal court system

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(page 91–92)

Individual Rights• Rights and Liberties are protected

multiple times from government involvement

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(page 91–92)

The amendments are a continuing expansion of this principal

Checking for Understanding

__ 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 lawD. checks and

balances

Define Match the terms on the right with their definitions on the left.

D

B

A

C

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