Basic Principles of the United States Constitution

Popular Sovereignty Popular = people Sovereignty = right, or power to rule Popular sovereignty = –People should have the right and the power to rule themselves

How was popular sovereignty portrayed by... English citizens? Magna Carta Glorious Revolution Glorious Revolution Parliament made up of representatives that the people elected Parliament made up of representatives that the people elected Growth of democratic government Growth of democratic government American colonists? Creation of colonial governments Town meetings Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence Framers of the Constitution? “We the People…” Gov’t must always reflect the will of the people Gov’t must always reflect the will of the people Will of people expressed through elections

Limited Government Power of the government should be limited Our government may only do what the people give it the power to do Power denied to government in Constitution and the Bill of Rights Rule of law = –The law applies to everyone, even those who govern

Federalism National government and state governments share power. ENUMERATED POWERS Powers that the Constitution gives to the national government only RESERVED POWERS Powers that the Constitution gives to the states CONCURRENT POWERS Powers that the national and state governments

Supremacy clause: Supremacy clause: – The Constitution and the laws of the national government are the “supreme law of the land”. What happens if there is a conflict between federal and state authority?

Full Faith and Credit Clause States must recognize the laws, records, and judicial decisions of other states

Separation of Powers Framers wanted to make sure that no 1 person or group of people gained too much power. Montesquieu gave the idea to clearly separate the 3 branches of government: - Legislative, Executive, Judicial System of checks and balances makes sure that no one branch would gain too much power.

Each branch is not totally independent of the others Each branch is not totally independent of the others Checks and Balances

Judicial Review Courts may determine whether or not what the President or Congress does is Constitutional