US Constitution 5 Principles

What You Will Learn What five principles guided the framers of the Constitution How national and state governments share powers How power is divided in the federal government

Principles Based on the idea of liberty 5 Principles People have the freedom to live as they choose 5 Principles Popular sovereignty Limited government Federalism Separation of powers Checks and balances

Popular Sovereignty Provides that the people have the ruling power of government United States government is: Of the people For the people By the people Government is a representative type of government

Limited Government Government is limited Limited by the constitution Does not have total power Limited by the constitution Government can do certain things Tax Raise an Army Government cannot do certain things Deny you the freedom of speech Make you choose a certain religion

Federalism Power of the government is divided Supremacy Clause Between national and state level Powers are specified by the constitution 3 types of power Delegated (Specific) Reserved (Withheld) Concurrent (Shared) Supremacy Clause The Constitution and laws of the national government override any state or local laws

Separation of Powers Ensures that national government does not become too strong US government is divided between 3 branches Legislative Executive Judicial Power is divided among the 3 branches Ensure that no one branch becomes too strong

Checks and Balances Divides Government into 3 branches Legislative Executive Judicial Each branch has the ability to check or limit the power of the others

Checks and Balances Ensured that the federal government would not become too strong Each branch has the ability to check the other Example Legislative branch makes laws, but it requires the Executive branch approval Or the Judicial branch can declare a law passed by the Legislative and Executive branch as unconstitutional

Checks and Balances Executive Branch Legislative Branch Judicial Appoints Judges Executive Branch Legislative Branch Judicial Branch Can Veto Legislation Can declare laws unconstitutional Can Override Veto Can Impeach Judges Proposes Policy Carries Out Laws Makes Treaties Makes Laws Interprets Laws Can Impeach President Can reject appointment Judges Can Reject Presidential Appointments, Refuse Treaties Can declare acts of the President unconstitutional

Activity In two paragraphs, predict what the United States would be like if the Constitution had been written without the 5 principles of liberty included.

What You Have Learned What five principles guided the framers of the Constitution How national and state governments share powers How power is divided in the federal government

Assignment None