CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES of AMERICA

SIX PRINCIPLES 1.POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY – people are the power

SIX PRINCIPLES 2. LIMITED GOVERNMENT - “RULE OF LAW”

SIX PRINCIPLES 3. SEPARATION OF POWERS – 3 branches are independent and distinct

SIX PRINCIPLES 4. CHECKS & BALANCES Each branch has the power to “check” the actions of the other two

SIX PRINCIPLES 5. FEDERALISM – power divided between national and regional governments

SIX PRINCIPLES 6. JUDICIAL REVIEW

CONSTITUTION ARTICLE I – Legislative Branch – Congress ARTICLE II – Executive Branch – President, VP ARTICLE III – Judicial Branch– Supreme Court

Article IV – State Relations »Extradition »Full Faith & Credit Clause Article V – Amending the Constitution »Formal – changes that become part of the written language of the Constitution itself (4 methods) »Informal – over time, changes have been made in the Constitution, which HAVE NOT involved changing the written word (5 methods) Article VI – Supremacy Clause »Constitution,Treaties / Acts of Congress, State laws, Local laws Article VII – Ratification Requirements »9/13 states