7 Principles of the Constitution

7 Principles of the … When I say playbook… YOU SAY… CONSTITUTION!!!

1. Limited Government/Rule of Law What if the President of the United States murdered someone on the side of the road? What would happen to him? Discuss with your partner for 1 minute.

1. Limited Government The President would be arrested and taken to jail!!!! Law is over the Government! The government ONLY has the powers given to it by the Constitution. L G

2. Individual / Natural / Unalienable Rights You just named a Principle of the Constitution. These are rights that CANNOT be taken away from you. They belong to you from birth!

2. Individual Rights You also have the right to… Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness!

3. Federalism-Powers divided top down National – USA State – TX Local – City / County Think 10th Amendment!!!!

Put these in order of Federalism – Turn and talk APD FBI Highway Patrol State Legislature City Council Washington D.C. Capital

Put these in order of Federalism SAT STAAR Test Benchmark Municipal Court District Court U.S. Supreme Court

4. Separation of Powers Three Ring Circus

4. Separation of powers

5. Checks and Balances Each branch can CHECK and BALANCE the other to make sure they don’t get too much power! Example – Judges (J)can declare laws (L) unconstitutional http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/lesson_13_notes.htm

6. Popular Sovereignty Population = PEOPLE http://www.census.gov/popclock/ Reign = RULE Popular Sovereignty = PEOPLE RULE

6. Popular Sovereignty How do the people have power? Through voting!

7. Republicanism http://www.census.gov/popclock/ Do you think we could fit all of those people in the US Capital to have them all vote at once?

7. Republicanism No way! Republicanism is when we choose representatives to govern FOR US! REP

History of the Texas Constitution Current Constitution written in 1876 8th constitution so far 666 proposed amendments 491 passed US Constitution 1787 – 27 amendments