The Principles of the

United States Constitution

I. Popular Sovereignty

The people hold the ultimate authority

aka “consent of the governed.”

** the government gets its power from the

people

“WE THE PEOPLE”

II. Republicanism

A representative democracy

We elect our officials in Congress ( Who

are they ???)

(Kennedy, Scalise , Cassidy )

Senate

House of Representatives

The President

II. Limited Government

Framers wanted to guard against tyranny

Government is limited to the powers

allowed by the Constitution.

Leaders who overstep their power can be

removed ***impeachment

Term Limits

Impeachment

III. Federalism

The division of power between State and

National Governments

Some powers are shared (concurrent)

Some powers are reserved.

Some powers are enumerated

(national)

The National Government has the

“supreme power”

Article I

10th Amendment

Article VI

IV. Separation of Powers

No one holds “too much” power

Legislative branch makes the laws

Executive branch carries out the laws

Judicial branch interprets the laws

Article 1

Article 2

Article 3

V. Checks and Balances

Prevents the abuse of power in government

Each branch can limit the power of the

other 2 branches

Veto

Impeachment

Judicial Review

VI. Individual Rights

Basic Liberties and rights of all citizens are

guaranteed in the Bill of Rights

Amendments 1-10 (and others)

Checks and Balances

The President can veto a law passed by

Congress

EXAMPLES

Separation of Powers

The President is the Commander in Chief of

the military.

Separation of Powers

Congress makes the laws

Limited Government

A presidential election takes place every 4

years

Popular Sovereignty

We the People

Republicanism

Senator Bill Cassidy

Individual Rights

The Bill of Rights

Federalism

The States regulate public schools.