The 6 Basic Principles of the Constitution

Popular Sovereignty The people are the only source for ALL government power –Constitution example: “we the people” –Real life example: referendum, elections

Limited Government (rule of law) Government and its officers are always subject to-never above-the law –Constitution example: the House of Reps. has the power to impeach elected officials –Real life example: the Pres. is subject to the law and can be charged with a crime

Separation of Powers Basic government powers are distributed among 3 distinct and independent branches

Legislative Branch Congress makes the Laws Represent the states (Republic)

Executive Branch Led by the President Represent the people Carries out the laws

Judicial Branch Led by the Supreme Court Interprets the laws

Checks and Balances Each branch is subject to a number of constitutional restraints by the other branches –Inherently creates a system of compromise

Checks and balances LegislativeExecutiveJudicial 1.Make laws 2.Congress provides military 3.Congress funds military 4.House of Reps can impeach Pres 1.Veto laws 2. Pres— commander in chief 3.Pres—send troops into battle 1.Interpret laws 4. Chief justice presides over impeachment trial

Judicial Review Power of the courts to declare an act of government to be unconstitutional –Not stated in Constitution---outlined in Marbury v. Madison

Marbury v. Madison First time this was implemented by the courts d

Brown v. Board of Education (1954): declared laws requiring segregation to be unconstitutional

Roe v. Wade (1973): declared law prohibiting abortion to be unconstitutional

Texas v. Johnson (1988) Declared law prohibiting flag burning to be unconstitutional

Federalism Division of power between the national government and the state/local governments

Federalism