Slide 1

The 7 Principles of the United States Constitution

I. Popular SovereigntyThe people hold the ultimate authorityAmericans share in the power to govern themselves.

II. RepublicanismBased on the belief that people exercise their power by VOTING for their political representatives. The Constitution calls for every state to have a Republican form of government. III. FederalismThe division of power between State and National GovernmentsSome powers are sharedThe National Government has the supreme power

IV. Separation of PowersNo one holds too much powerLegislative branch makes the lawsExecutive branch carries out the lawsJudicial branch interprets the laws

V. Checks & BalancesEach branch of government can exercise checks, or controls, over the other branches.Though the branches of government are separate, they rely on one another to perform the work of government. The Framers included this system to make sure the branches worked together fairly. VI. Limited GovernmentFramers wanted to guard against tyrannyGovernment is limited to the power given them in the Constitution.The Constitution tells how leaders who overstep their power can be removed

VII. Individual RightsThe 1st 10 Amendments of the Constitution shield people from an overly powerful government. These are called the Bill of Rights.The Bill of Rights guarantees certain individual rights, or personal liberties & privileges.

Legislative BranchSenate and House of RepresentativesMake our lawsAppropriate MoneyRegulate ImmigrationEstablish Post Offices and RoadsRegulate Interstate Commerce and TransportationDeclare War

Executive BranchThe President of the United StatesChief ExecutiveChief of StateChief LegislatorCommander in Chief

Judicial BranchSupreme Court and other Federal CourtsPreserve and protect the rights guaranteed by the ConstitutionConsiders cases involving national lawsDeclares laws and acts unconstitutional

Executive ChecksPropose laws to CongressVeto laws made by CongressNegotiate foreign treatiesAppoint federal judgesGrant pardons to federal offenders

Legislative ChecksOverride presidents vetoRatify treatiesConfirm executive appointmentsImpeach federal officers and judgesCreate and dissolve lower federal courts

Judicial ChecksDeclare executive acts unconstitutionalDeclare laws unconstitutionalDeclare acts of Congress unconstitutionalThe Supreme Court holds the final check