1. The Big Six of the U.S. Constitution

2. 6 Big Ideas: Constitutional Principles
Framers focused on broad concepts—
NOT details
Framers planned for future changes--Amendments

3. Popular Sovereignty
Based on Locke’s idea that gov’t. comes from the consent of the governed
People must agree who their leaders will be
Originally didn’t apply to all people—expanded over time
15th, 19th, & 26th Amendments
Government power belongs to the people
People give the government its power
The Constitution controls the government

4. Limited Government Government only has the powers that people give it
Government must obey the Constitution
Government officials must obey the law
Framers feared oppression by rulers & tyranny of the majority
Gov’t. officials are subject to themselves & are held to the Constitution
Presidents may be impeached, Representatives can be voted out of office, Judges can be denied confirmation

5. Separation of Powers
Prevents 1 person or a group of people from controlling the government
Colonies practiced this idea for 100 years before the Constitution was written
Many believed that the Articles failed because it didn’t have a separation of powers
Each branch has a specific function in the government
3 separate branches share power
Each branch has specific jobs
Legislative, Executive, & Judicial

6. Checks & Balances None of the branches can become too powerful
Each branch can limit the other two
Branches try to compromise with each other
Framers worried that a separation of powers wasn’t enough to prevent tyranny
Gives each branch authority over the actions of others
“Ambition must be made to counteract ambition”—
James Madison (The Federalist #51)

7. Examples of Checks & Balances
Congress makes laws
The President may veto those laws
The Supreme Court may declare laws unconstitutional
Federal judges are members of the judicial branch
The President appoints federal judges
Congress must confirm federal judgeships

8. Republicanism
The people elect others to represent them in government decisions
It stresses liberty and "unalienable" rights as central values
The people elect our president
The people vote for their mayor
Senators and house of representatives are elected

9. Federalism
Government power is divided between the central government & smaller regional governments
Washington, D.C. & the 50 states
Reflects the Founders’ desire to balance liberty & order
The Articles lacked central authority while giving too much power to the States
Federalism splits power between the national & local governments
Certain powers are exclusive while some overlap