The Five Principles Underlying the United States Constitution

I. Popular Sovereignty The power lies with the people. A representative democracy lets the people elect leaders to make decisions for them.

II. Rule of Law Framers wanted to guard against tyranny. Government officials are limited to the power given to them in the Constitution. The Constitution tells how leaders who overstep their power can be removed.

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

Legislative Branch Make laws House of Representatives Senate 435 members Serves a two year term Must be 25 years old and a citizen for 7 years Can propose tax laws Can impeach a president Senate 100 members Serves a six year term Must be 30 years old and a citizen for 9 years Can approve presidential appointments Ratify treaties with foreign governments Can try the President after impeachment

Legislative Branch Can propose laws Can declare war Can override a president’s veto with 2/3 vote Can propose amendments to the Constitution with a 2/3 vote

Executive Branch The President of the United States Enforces laws Serves a 4 year term Must be 35 years olds, a 14 year resident, and native born Has power to approve or veto laws Makes treaties with foreign governments Nominates judges to the Supreme Court Appoints cabinet members Is Commander-in-Chief of military

Judicial Branch Supreme Court and other Federal Courts. Interprets laws Justices serve for life Declares laws and acts “unconstitutional” Can settle disputes involving the U.S. Can settle disputes between states. Chief Justice resides over impeachment trial of the President.

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

Checks & Balances

Executive Checks On the Legislative Executive Checks On the Judicial * Can propose laws Executive Checks On the Legislative * Can veto laws * Makes appointments Executive Checks On the Judicial Executive * Negotiates foreign treaties * Appoints federal judges * Can call special sessions of Congress * Can grant pardons to federal offenders Legislative Judicial

Legislative Checks On the Judicial Legislative Checks On the Executive * Create lower federal courts Legislative Checks On the Executive * Can impeach and remove judges * Confirms executive appointments * Approves appointments of federal judges * Ratifies treaties * Can propose amendments to overrule judicial decisions * Appropriates money * Can override President’s veto * Can impeach and remove President Judicial Legislative

the Legislative Branch Executive Judicial Checks on the Executive Branch * Can declare Executive actions unconstitutional * Can declare acts of Congress unconstitutional Legislative Judicial Checks on the Legislative Branch Judicial

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

So What? (What’s important to understand about this?) Key Topic Federalism is about… The Constitution establishes a division of power between the ________________and ________________governments Main idea Main idea Main idea Nat’l gov’t powers State gov’t powers Shared powers _______ powers _______ powers _______ powers Powers _______ or _______ Powers not given to the nat’l gov’t are _______ for state governments Powers shared by _______ gov’t and _______ gov’ts Foreign policy- _______ , _______ Public _______ Enforce _______ Regulate Commerce- _______ Public safety- _______ Establish _______ Regulate currency- _______ Public welfare- _______ , _______ Collect _______ Establish a _______ system Borrow _______ So What? (What’s important to understand about this?) The Constitution _______ or _______ powers to both the national government and the state governments.

So What? (What’s important to understand about this?) Key Topic Federalism is about… The Constitution establishes a division of power between the national and state governments Main idea Main idea Main idea Nat’l gov’t powers State gov’t powers Shared powers Supreme powers Reserved powers Concurrent powers Powers expressed or implied Powers not given to the nat’l gov’t are reserved for state governments Powers shared by nat’l gov’t and state gov’ts Foreign policy- wars, treaties Public health Enforce laws Regulate Commerce- trade Public safety- police Establish courts Regulate currency- money Public welfare- education, elections Collect taxes Establish a postal system Borrow money So What? (What’s important to understand about this?) The Constitution denies or limits powers to both the national government and the state governments.

5 Principles Underlying the Constitution _________________ _________________ – power lies w/ the people _________________– all people must follow the law _________________ _________________ – power is divided among the 3 branches _________________ and _________________ – each branch checks on the others to make sure one doesn’t become too powerful _________________– power is shared between the federal and state governments _________________(_________________ ) powers – powers left to the federal gov’t _________________ powers – powers left to the states _________________ powers – powers shared by both

5 Principles Underlying the Constitution Popular Sovereignty – power lies w/ the people Rule of Law – all people must follow the law Separation of Powers – power is divided among the 3 branches Checks and Balances – each branch checks on the others to make sure one doesn’t become too powerful Federalism – power is shared between the federal and state governments Expressed(implied) powers – powers left to the federal gov’t Reserved powers – powers left to the states Concurrent powers – powers shared by both

Amendment Process (2 ways) _________________ _________________ _________________ vote by both houses 2. _________________ _________________ 2/3 states _________________ request it _________________ of states ratify it Only _________________ Amendment done this way

Amendment Process (2 ways) Congressional Action 2/3 vote by both houses 2. National Convention 2/3 states legislatures request it ¾ of states ratify it Only 21st Amendment done this way