The Principles of the United States Constitution

The Constitution was written in 1787 by 55 men we call the Framers of the Constitution. These men included George Washington and Ben Franklin.

The people hold the ultimate authority I. Popular Sovereignty The people hold the ultimate authority A representative democracy lets the people elect leaders to make decisions for them.

Framers wanted to guard against tyranny II. Limited Government Framers wanted to guard against tyranny Government is limited to the power given them in the Constitution. The Constitution tells how leaders who overstep their power can be removed.

The division of power between State and National Governments III. Federalism The division of power between State and National Governments Some powers are shared The National Government has the “supreme power”

IV. Separation of Powers No one holds “too much” power Legislative branch makes the laws Executive branch carries out the laws Judicial branch interprets/explains the laws

How it all works

Legislative Branch – HAS 2 PARTS The Senate – 100 members, 2 Senators per state The House of Representatives - 435 members , largest populations have the most representatives What does it do? *Make our laws *Appropriate Money *Regulate Immigration *Establish Post Offices and Roads *Regulate Interstate Trade and Transportation *Declare War

Judicial Branch Supreme Court and other Federal Courts What does it do? Preserve and protect the rights guaranteed by the Constitution Considers cases involving national laws Declares laws and acts “unconstitutional” There are 9 Supreme Court justices, who are appointed for life.

The President of the United States “Commander in Chief” Executive Branch The President of the United States “Commander in Chief” The president is elected to a 4 year term. The president can only serve two terms. The president must be a citizen by birth The president must be at least 35 years old.

V. Checks and Balances Prevents the abuse of power in government Each branch can check each other branch

Propose laws to Congress Veto laws made by Congress Executive Checks Propose laws to Congress Veto laws made by Congress Negotiate foreign treaties Appoint federal judges Grant pardons to federal offenders

Legislative Checks Override president’s veto Ratify treaties Confirm executive appointments Impeach federal officers and judges Create and dissolve lower federal courts

Declare executive acts unconstitutional Declare laws unconstitutional Judicial Checks Declare executive acts unconstitutional Declare laws unconstitutional Declare acts of Congress unconstitutional The Supreme Court holds the final check

PARTS OF OUR U.S. CONSTITUTION Page 82-87 Civics Today PREAMBLE - Opening that tells why the Constitution was written. ARTICLE 1 - Legislative Branch – House of Representatives & a Senate ARTICLE 2 - Executive Branch – President & Vice President, elections for them, President’s powers and duties. ARTICLE 3 - Judicial Branch – Supreme Court, interprets laws and sees that they are fairly applied. ARTICLES 4-7 Article #4 - says states are protected by federal gov’t., says how new states are made Article #5 - says how amendments to constitution are made Article #6 - says Federal government laws rule over state laws Article #7 - says that 9 states had to approve of the 1st Constitution for it to take effect.

Amending the Constitution The Constitution provides for its own amendment , for changes in its written words. Article V sets out two methods for the proposal and two methods for the ratification of constitutional amendments, creating four possible methods of formal amendment.

Formal Amendment Process The four different ways by which amendments may be added to the Constitution are shown here:

Amendments to the Constitution Collectively, the first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. They set out many of our basic freedoms.