What are the main principles of the US Constitution? Identify the 5 principles that form our Constitution   Meaning and purpose of each principle Examples How do you see these principles in your everyday life? 

US Constitution Quick Facts Signed into being on September 17, 1787 3 Parts Preamble: Introduction, establishes the purpose of government  Articles: 7 articles which provides guidelines for how the government will operate Amendments: 27changes to the original document  

What is a Principle? 1. Brainstorm a what a principle means. 2. Give an example of how you may use a principle in your life.

What is a Principle? A principle is a basic rule that guides and influences thought or action...   Principles guide our decision making, thus help to keep us in order. 

5 Principles of the US Constitution 1. Popular Sovereignty 2. Limited Government 3. Federalism 4. Separation of Powers 5. Checks and Balances The government follows these principles when making laws and decisions. Tell students that the Founders of the Constitution had to solve two problems: how to give the government enough power to preserve the nation, and how to provide safeguards to prevent the government from taking away freedoms and rights of the people. The main principles of the Constitution serve these two functions.

1. Popular Sovereignty Popular = People Sovereignty = Power The people are the source of power. Popular = People The writers wanted to emphasize that the ability to set up and start a new government came from the people.     Placing power in the hands of the people. -People do not rule directly, but exercise power through elected representatives Sovereignty = Power

1. Popular Sovereignty   The writers wanted to emphasize that the ability to set up and start a new government came from the people.     Placing power in the hands of the people. -People do not rule directly, but exercise power through elected representatives

1. Popular Sovereingty   The writers wanted to emphasize that the ability to set up and start a new government came from the people.     Placing power in the hands of the people. -People do not rule directly, but exercise power through elected representatives

2. Limited Government Magna Carta Government powers are limited to what is written in the constitution. Example: The police cannot search or seize your property without demonstrating cause and getting a warrant.   (we have seen this before, magna carta and english bill of rights)   A government whose powers are define and limited by a constitution.  Government must be conducted according to the Constitution and obey the law. Government and its officers always subject -not above- the law Government is to be limited if liberty is to be safeguarded  English Bill of Rights

3. Federalism Power is divided between national, state, and local governments.   Each level has its own responsibilities. 1. Delegated Powers 2. Concurrent Powers 3. Reserved Powers, "everything else reserved to the states" 10th Amendment

4. Separation of Powers Make the Laws Enforce the Laws Where have we heard this idea before? Make the Laws Enforce the Laws Interpret the Laws 3 Branches! The framer's did not want one part of government to become too powerful.

5. Checks and Balances Each branch of government has some power over the other two branches.   Makes government less efficient but also less likely to trample on the rights of citizens This prevents any one branch from having too much power. Example: If Congress makes a law , what can the President do if he does not agree with it?