1. Popular Sovereignty2. Limited Government3. Separation of powers4. Checks and balances5. Federalism6. Judicial Review
The people hold the ultimate power A republic lets the people elect
leaders to make decisions for them. Popular Sovereignty - This
principle states that the source of governmental power lies with the people.
If the government is not protecting the people, it should be dissolved.
Framers wanted to guard against tyranny Since the people give government its
power, government itself is limited to the power given to it by them.
The Constitution outlines how leaders who overstep their power can be removed
In other words, the US government does not derive its power from itself. It must follow its own laws and it can only act using powers given to it by the people.
The US Government is divided into three branches so that no one branch has all the power. Each branch has its own purpose: to make the laws, execute the laws, and interpret the laws.
No branch holds “too much” power (Montesquieu)
Legislative branch makes the laws Executive branch carries out the laws Judicial branch interprets the laws
In order to further protect the citizens, the constitution set up a system of checks and balances.
Each branch of government has a certain number of checks it can use to ensure the other branches do not become too powerful.
For example, the president can veto legislation, the Supreme Court can declare acts of Congress unconstitutional, and the Senate must approve treaties and presidential appointments.
One of the most complicated foundations of the US is the principle of federalism
The division of power between state and national (federal)governments
Some powers are shared The National Government has the
“supreme power” States also have powers reserved to
them
An example of federal delegated power is the printing of money, declaring war and having a army and navy.
Print money (bills and coins) Declare war Establish an army and navy Enter into treaties with foreign governments Regulate commerce between states and
international trade Establish post offices and issue postage Make laws necessary to enforce the
Constitution
Powers reserved to state governments include issuing licenses, setting gun control laws.
Establish local governments Issue licenses (driver, hunting, marriage, etc.) Regulate intrastate (within the state) commerce Conduct elections Ratify amendments to the U.S. Constitution Provide for public health and safety Exercise powers neither delegated to the national
government or prohibited from the states by the U.S. Constitution (For example, setting legal drinking and smoking ages.)
An example of shared powers is borrowing money and building highways.
Setting up courts Creating and collecting taxes Building highways Borrowing money Making and enforcing laws Chartering banks and corporations Spending money for the betterment of
the general welfare Taking (condemning) private property
with just compensation (eminent domain)
The power which allows the Supreme Court to declare unconstitutional, illegal, null, and void of a government action or law that violates the intent of the Constitution. This was established with Marbury v. Madison in 1803.
THE CONSTITUTION PROVIDES FOR THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENTTHE FOLLOWING ARE THE THREE BRANCHES AND THEIR POWERS AND DUTIES
Responsible for creating laws “Power of the Purse” First Accomplishments:
Set up the governments financial systemOrganized government departments
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Bureau of Consumer Financial ProtectionDealt with Revolutionary war debtWrote the Bill of RightsPicked Washington D.C. to be the capital
Congress Senate House of
Representatives
Makes our laws Appropriates Money Regulates Immigration Establishes Post Offices and Roads Regulates Interstate Commerce
and Transportation Declares War
The President of the United StatesAn example of the duties of president Is that he is Commander in Chief of the
military. “State of the Union” Commander in Chief of the Military Concluding treaties with foreign powers (advice
and consent of Senate) Convene/adjourn Congress under extraordinary
circumstances Approves or veto’s all legislation from Congress Grant federal pardons
Supreme Court Preserve and protect the rights
guaranteed by the Constitution Considers cases involving national
laws Declares laws and acts
“unconstitutional” Judges appointed for life are free
from executive control
JAMES MADISON