The foundation of our The foundation of our government and the government and the

supreme law of the landsupreme law of the land

The The structurestructure and and functionfunction

of our of our government government are based on are based on seven basic seven basic principles.principles.

Seven Basic Principles Seven Basic Principles of the Constitutionof the Constitution

Limited powers of governmentgovernment

Separation of Separation of powerspowers

Popular Popular sovereigntysovereignty

Checks and Checks and balancesbalances

Individual Individual rightsrights

RepublicaniRepublicanismsm

FederalisFederalismm

Since King George III Since King George III had had unlimitedunlimited power, power,

the writers of the the writers of the U.S. Constitution U.S. Constitution wanted “we the wanted “we the

people” to put people” to put limits on the government.

Since King George III Since King George III had had unlimitedunlimited power, power,

the writers of the the writers of the U.S. Constitution U.S. Constitution wanted “we the wanted “we the

people” to put people” to put limits on the government.The Constitution The Constitution

outlined exactly what outlined exactly what the government could the government could

do.do.

Separation of Separation of powerspowers divides the divides the

operation of operation of government into government into

three equal three equal branches.branches.

““Sovereignty”Sovereignty” comes from comes from

“sovereign” which “sovereign” which means ruler.means ruler.

““Popular”Popular” means people. means people...““Popular”Popular” means people. means people...

Popular Popular sovereignty sovereignty == people choosepeople choose

Each branch Each branch of the of the

government government checks and balances, or , or monitors, the monitors, the power of the power of the

other two other two branches.branches.

Individual rights Individual rights are the are the basic liberties and rights basic liberties and rights

that are guaranteed in the that are guaranteed in the first 10 amendments to the first 10 amendments to the

Constitution, the Bill of Constitution, the Bill of Rights. These individual Rights. These individual

rights have been extended rights have been extended through subsequent through subsequent amendments to the amendments to the

Constitution.Constitution.

Individual rights Individual rights are the are the basic liberties and rights basic liberties and rights

that are guaranteed in the that are guaranteed in the first 10 amendments to the first 10 amendments to the

Constitution, the Bill of Constitution, the Bill of Rights. These individual Rights. These individual

rights have been extended rights have been extended through subsequent through subsequent amendments to the amendments to the

Constitution.Constitution.ExamplesExamples

Freedom of speechFreedom of speech Freedom of pressFreedom of press

Freedom of religionFreedom of religion Right to a trial by Right to a trial by

juryjury

RepublicanismRepublicanism is a is a philosophy of limited philosophy of limited

government in which elected government in which elected representatives serve at the representatives serve at the

will of the people.will of the people.

RepublicanismRepublicanism is a is a philosophy of limited philosophy of limited

government in which elected government in which elected representatives serve at the representatives serve at the

will of the people.will of the people.

ExamplesExamples

State legislaturesState legislatures Congress Congress

FederalismFederalism is the division is the division and sharing of powers and sharing of powers between the state and between the state and national government.national government.

FederalismFederalism is the division is the division and sharing of powers and sharing of powers between the state and between the state and national government.national government.National PowersNational Powers

•maintain armed maintain armed forcesforces

•coin moneycoin money

•declare wardeclare war

•make foreign make foreign policypolicy

State PowersState Powers

•provide for provide for educationeducation

•conduct electionsconduct elections

•provide public provide public safetysafety

•regulate trade in regulate trade in statestate

Powers Shared by National Powers Shared by National and State Governmentsand State Governments

•raise taxesraise taxes

•administer criminal justiceadminister criminal justice

•provide for public welfareprovide for public welfare

•charter bankscharter banks

•borrow moneyborrow money

Rooted in these Rooted in these seven seven

principles, the principles, the U.S. U.S.

Constitution has Constitution has endured since endured since

1787.1787.

Rooted in these Rooted in these seven seven

principles, the principles, the U.S. U.S.

Constitution has Constitution has endured since endured since

1787.1787. This living document This living document protectsprotects the the

rights of the individuals by rights of the individuals by limiting the powerlimiting the power of the of the

government.government.