Basic Principles of the Constitution

Outline of The Constitution The Constitution is organized into eight sections: Preamble Seven Articles: Article I- Legislative Branch Article II- Executive Branch Article III- Judicial Branch Article IV- relations among the states Article V- Amending the Constitution Article VI- Constitution is the supreme law Article VII- ratification 27 Amendments

Principles of the Constitution 6 basic principles: - Popular Sovereignty - Limited Government - Federalism - Separation of Powers - Checks & Balances - Judicial Review

Popular Sovereignty “We the people…………” Means “authority of the people” U.S. citizens give their permission to be governed, and in return specify the powers & rules by which they are governed

Limited Government specifically outlines the powers that each branch of government is given powers not listed are granted only by the people’s permission Rule of law- government and its officials are always subject to and never above the law

Federalism Defined as a division of powers between the central and state governments States are allowed to deal with their own needs in their own way. Central government deals with issues that involve all Americans

Judicial Branch Executive Branch Legislative Branch Separation of Powers Legislative Branch(Congress): makes our national laws Executive Branch(President): carries out/oversees our national laws Judicial Branch(Supreme Court): interprets and applies the law

Checks & Balances Constitution gives each branch power, or “check”, over the other one to “balance” their power. For example: President can veto any Congressional law & selects the Supreme Court Congress can impeach the President & reject Supreme Court appointments Supreme Court can declare acts of Congress and the President unconstitutional

Judicial Review Power of a court to “determine the constitutionality of a government action” Power of judicial review is held by all federal courts and by most state courts.