SSCG3 SSCG3

The student will The student will demonstrate knowledge demonstrate knowledge

of the United States of the United States Constitution.Constitution.

SSCG3.c SSCG3.c Explain the Explain the fundamental principles fundamental principles

upon which the United States upon which the United States Constitution is based including the Constitution is based including the rule of lawrule of law, popular sovereignty, , popular sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalismbalances, and federalism. .

The United The United StatesStates ConstitutionConstitution

Structure and Guiding PrinciplesStructure and Guiding Principles

Local, State, and National Local, State, and National GovernmentGovernment

The United States The United States ConstitutionConstitutionQuick FactsQuick Facts

Signed into being on September 17, 1787 Signed into being on September 17, 1787 forming the basis for US Government.forming the basis for US Government.

3 Parts:3 Parts: Preamble—Introduction; establishes purpose of Preamble—Introduction; establishes purpose of

US governmentUS government Articles—7 articles provide guidelines for how Articles—7 articles provide guidelines for how

government will operategovernment will operate Amendments—27 Amendments—27 changeschanges to the original to the original

document make Constitution a “living document make Constitution a “living document”document”

A principle is a basic rule that guides A principle is a basic rule that guides and influences thought or action…and influences thought or action…

PrinciplesPrinciples guide our decision- guide our decision-making, thus keep us in ordermaking, thus keep us in order

What principles do you live by and What principles do you live by and why?why?

How do those principles affect your How do those principles affect your everyday actions?everyday actions?

What is a Principle?What is a Principle?

American PrinciplesAmerican Principles Where do Guiding US Where do Guiding US

Principles Come Principles Come From?From?

(1) old US documents(1) old US documents

(2) philosophers(2) philosophers

(3) old world documents(3) old world documents

The GOVT. follows The GOVT. follows these principles these principles when making Laws & when making Laws & DecisionsDecisions

6 Guiding 6 Guiding PrinciplesPrinciples::

1. Popular 1. Popular SovereigntySovereignty

2. Federalism2. Federalism3. Limited 3. Limited

GovernmentGovernment4. Separation of 4. Separation of

PowersPowers5. Checks and 5. Checks and

BalancesBalances6. Judicial Review6. Judicial Review

Popular SovereigntyPopular Sovereignty

People are source of govt. powerPeople are source of govt. power

(1) (1) PopularPopular = “People” = “People”

(2) (2) SovereigntySovereignty = “Power” or “Controller” = “Power” or “Controller” Example: Example:

- elections- elections

- peaceful demonstrations- peaceful demonstrations

FederalismFederalism Meaning: Meaning: power is divided between national (central), power is divided between national (central),

state, local govts.state, local govts.- Each level has own responsibilities- Each level has own responsibilities

Example:Example: - Amendment Process- Amendment Process- Federal Power = Prints Money- Federal Power = Prints Money- State Power = Driver’s License- State Power = Driver’s License

Separation of PowersSeparation of Powers

The Powers of Government are divided The Powers of Government are divided into three Branches:into three Branches: Legislative BranchLegislative Branch Makes Laws Makes Laws Executive BranchExecutive Branch Enforces Laws Enforces Laws Judicial BranchJudicial Branch Interprets Laws Interprets Laws

Separation of Powers

Powers of National Government

Checks and Checks and BalancesBalances

Definition: Each branch of Govt has some power over the other two branches

Purpose: Prevent any one branch from having too much power

Practicing Checks and Practicing Checks and BalancesBalances

1. If Congress makes a law, what can the 1. If Congress makes a law, what can the President doPresident do if he does not like the if he does not like the law? law?

2. If Congress does not think the 2. If Congress does not think the President’s veto was fair, what can the President’s veto was fair, what can the Congress doCongress do? ?

3. If a law or action is unlawful, which 3. If a law or action is unlawful, which branch determines if the law or action branch determines if the law or action is unconstitutional? is unconstitutional?

Judicial ReviewJudicial Review

Example: Brown v. Board of Ed. Court stated that segregation was illegal in public places

Courts decide if Courts decide if govt. acts govt. acts violate violate constitution constitution

Marbury v. Marbury v. Madison Madison established established judicial review.judicial review.

Limited GovernmentLimited Government Government Powers Government Powers

are limited to what is are limited to what is written in the written in the ConstitutionConstitution

Example: The police Example: The police cannot search or seize cannot search or seize your property without your property without demonstrating cause demonstrating cause and getting a and getting a warrant.warrant.

English Bill of Rights

Magna Carta

Other Important Other Important Principles…Principles…

Due Process—Govt must follow Due Process—Govt must follow established procedures when dealing with established procedures when dealing with citizens; your right to be treated fairly by citizens; your right to be treated fairly by the government.the government.

Rule of Law—NO ONE (not even the Rule of Law—NO ONE (not even the President) is above the law.President) is above the law.

Majority RuleMajority Rule

Rights of Individuals/Equal ProtectionRights of Individuals/Equal Protection

Identifying Constitutional Identifying Constitutional PrinciplesPrinciples

The President appointed a new Justice for the The President appointed a new Justice for the Supreme Court and the Senate will review his Supreme Court and the Senate will review his appointment next week.appointment next week.

The people called a town meeting to debate The people called a town meeting to debate construction of a new park.construction of a new park.

The President, the members of Congress, and the The President, the members of Congress, and the Justices of the Supreme Court pay taxes just like Justices of the Supreme Court pay taxes just like every citizen in the United States.every citizen in the United States.

The Tenth Amendment of the Constitution states that The Tenth Amendment of the Constitution states that there are powers that belong to the states. In other there are powers that belong to the states. In other parts of the Constitution, powers are given to the parts of the Constitution, powers are given to the national government.national government.

The Constitution provides for legislative, executive, The Constitution provides for legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. and judicial branches of government.

Putting it all together…Putting it all together…

Citizens and Government in the United Citizens and Government in the United States share in a reciprocal relationship. States share in a reciprocal relationship. While the power to rule is derived from While the power to rule is derived from the people, the government is bound by the people, the government is bound by

the Constitution to respect and guard the the Constitution to respect and guard the rights of those citizens. rights of those citizens.

Challenge: Challenge: In what ways do the In what ways do the Constitutional principles imbedded in Constitutional principles imbedded in

our founding document ensure the our founding document ensure the people’s rights will be protected?people’s rights will be protected?

LimitedGovernment

Judicial Review

ChecksAnd

Balances

Separation of Powers

PopularSovereignty

Federalism

United StatesConstitution

Learning Log:

How do each of these principles of the Constitution manifest themselves in your everyday lives?