Principles of the Constitution

What are the principles of the Constitution? And Judicial Review.

Who Gives Government it’s Power? Popular Sovereignty – a government in which the people rule. The Preamble of the U.S. Constitution clearly spells out who has the power.

How is abuse of power prevented? Limited Government – the principle that requires ALL U.S. citizens, including government leaders, to follow the law.

How is power shared? Federalism – a system of govt. in which power is divided, or shared, between a central govt. and states.

Federalism Continued… What is the purpose of dividing powers between national and state governments?

One more look at Federalism Enumerated Powers – specifically assigned to the national govt. Reserved Powers – kept to the state govt. What are concurrent powers?

How is power divided? Separation of Powers – the division of basic govt. into branches. No one branch is given all of the power.

How is power evenly distributed? Checks and Balances – the ability of each branch of govt. to exercise checks, or controls, over the other branches.

A closer look…

What “check” does the Judicial Branch have on the Legislative Branch? Judicial Review – the principle that the Supreme Court has the final say in interpreting the Constitution.

What is happening in the cartoon. What is the cartoonist's message What is happening in the cartoon?   What is the cartoonist's message?   Do you agree or disagree with the message? Explain your answer.

How are personal freedoms protected? Individual Rights – personal liberty and privilege guarantee to U.S. citizens by the Bill of Rights.

How are people’s views represented in govt? Republicanism – the people exercise their power by voting for their political representatives.

Identify the principle illustrated in the statement In 2004, Americans chose George W. Bush as their next President. This is an example of ____________.

Congress approved of President Reagan’s appointment of Sandra Day O’Connor to the Supreme Court of the United States. This is an example of ____________________.

Congress makes laws for the nation Congress makes laws for the nation. The Texas State Legislature makes laws for the state. This is an example of ______________.

Now it’s your turn to practice! Massachusetts must respect the laws of neighboring Connecticut and distant Alaska Governor Perry and all other government officials must obey the law, as do all American citizens. Voters in Texas elected Kay Bailey Hutchinson to represent them in the U.S. Senate.

4. Texas can not sign a treaty with Mexico or any foreign country. 5. The Supreme Court can rule that a California state law is unconstitutional. 6. The powers of the national government are distributed among three branches of govt. 7. The govt. cannot arrest a person unless that person has violated a law.

8. State and local government supervise the public school system. 9. The Senate can refuse to approve a treaty that the President has negotiated. 10. The Supreme Court interprets and applies the laws. 11. The President can veto a bill approved by the House of Representatives and Senate.

12. The President is the commander in chief of the military. 13. The Preamble of the Constitution begins with “We the People.” 14. The Bill of Rights guarantees free speech. 15. The city of San Antonio, the state of Texas, and the national government all work together to repair Interstate 10.

16. Students protest the development of land over the Edwards Aquifer. 17. Congress can override a President’s veto with 2/3 of its member’s approval. 18. President Bush can be ticketed for speeding (if he actually ever drives himself somewhere) 19. The Supreme Court ruled that the line-item veto was unconstitutional. 20. People protest outside a state prison on the day a prisoner is to be executed.