Principles Underlying theConstitution

Bridge to AP Applied CivicsMr. Veliz

Five Fundamental Principles

Popular Sovereignty

Rule of Law

Separation of Powers

Checks and Balances

Federalism

Popular Sovereignty

. . . from the consent of the governed.

We the People . . .

What does popular sovereignty look like under the Constitution?Representative Democracy

Rule of Law

A stronger government, but not too strong.

The law applies to everyone, even those who govern.

Separation of Powers &
Checks and Balances

Montesquieu argued that the best way to secure liberty and prevent a government from becoming corrupted was to divide the powers of government among different actors who would check each other.

Three BranchesLegislative Executive Judicial

Federalism

Power is shared between the federal government and the state governments.

Who holds the power?Expressed PowersReserved PowersConcurrent Powers

The Supremacy Clause

What happens when national and state laws conflict?

Article VI

. . . shall be the supreme Law of the Land.