The Constitutional Kite

The Sail

Representative

Government

The String

People Power

The people control the government and can lead it anywhere they want.

The Tail

Each “bowtie” helpsmaintain a strong“sail” and it is SUPERimportant in theactual flying of thekite.

What happens to a kite with no tail?

IT WON’T FLY

The 7 Constitutional Principles

The “Bowties”

Republicanism

• A government where the citizens elect officials to represent their beliefs.

• EXAMPLE: Electing a President

Popular Sovereignty

• Political authority belongs to the people.

• Popular=People• Sovereignty=Pow

er

Limited Government

• All leaders have to obey the law, makes sure the government cannot become too strong.

• Example-the government cannot tell people where to live.

Sorry, you have to

live here.But, I don’t want to!

Separation of Powers

• The division of government to prevent one of the branches from becoming too powerful. Each branch has its own job.

Legislative Executive Judicial

Checks and Balances

• Each of the branches can check the others to keep one branch from becoming more powerful than the others.

Individual Rights

• Personal liberties (rights) guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the Bill of Rights.

Federalism

• Shared powers between…

GOVERNMENTS!

State

AND National

Key Idea

=

• The principles of government make the U.S. Constitution work, just like the tail makes the kite fly!!