The 7 Principles of the United States Constitution The 7 Principles of the United States Constitution

I. Popular Sovereignty The people hold the ultimate authority The people hold the ultimate authority Americans share in the power to govern themselves. Americans share in the power to govern themselves.

II. Republicanism Based on the belief that people exercise their power by VOTING for their political representatives. Based on the belief that people exercise their power by VOTING for their political representatives. The Constitution calls for every state to have a Republican form of government. The Constitution calls for every state to have a Republican form of government.

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

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

V. Checks & Balances Each branch of government can exercise checks, or controls, over the other branches. Each branch of government can exercise checks, or controls, over the other branches. Though the branches of government are separate, they rely on one another to perform the work of government. Though the branches of government are separate, they rely on one another to perform the work of government. The Framers included this system to make sure the branches worked together fairly. The Framers included this system to make sure the branches worked together fairly.

VI. Limited Government Framers wanted to guard against tyranny Framers wanted to guard against tyranny Government is limited to the power given them in the Constitution. Government is limited to the power given them in the Constitution. The Constitution tells how leaders who overstep their power can be removed The Constitution tells how leaders who overstep their power can be removed

VII. Individual Rights The 1 st 10 Amendments of the Constitution shield people from an overly powerful government. The 1 st 10 Amendments of the Constitution shield people from an overly powerful government. These are called the Bill of Rights. These are called the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights guarantees certain individual rights, or personal liberties & privileges. The Bill of Rights guarantees certain individual rights, or personal liberties & privileges.

Legislative Branch Senate and House of Representatives Senate and House of Representatives Make our laws Make our laws Appropriate Money Appropriate Money Regulate Immigration Regulate Immigration Establish Post Offices and Roads Establish Post Offices and Roads Regulate Interstate Commerce and Transportation Regulate Interstate Commerce and Transportation Declare War Declare War

Executive Branch The President of the United States The President of the United States Chief Executive Chief Executive Chief of State Chief of State Chief Legislator Chief Legislator Commander in Chief Commander in Chief

Judicial Branch Supreme Court and other Federal Courts Supreme Court and other Federal Courts Preserve and protect the rights guaranteed by the Constitution Preserve and protect the rights guaranteed by the Constitution Considers cases involving national laws Considers cases involving national laws Declares laws and acts “unconstitutional” Declares laws and acts “unconstitutional”

Executive Checks Propose laws to Congress Propose laws to Congress Veto laws made by Congress Veto laws made by Congress Negotiate foreign treaties Negotiate foreign treaties Appoint federal judges Appoint federal judges Grant pardons to federal offenders Grant pardons to federal offenders

Legislative Checks Override president’s veto Override president’s veto Ratify treaties Ratify treaties Confirm executive appointments Confirm executive appointments Impeach federal officers and judges Impeach federal officers and judges Create and dissolve lower federal courts Create and dissolve lower federal courts

Judicial Checks Declare executive acts unconstitutional Declare executive acts unconstitutional Declare laws unconstitutional Declare laws unconstitutional Declare acts of Congress unconstitutional Declare acts of Congress unconstitutional The Supreme Court holds the final check The Supreme Court holds the final check