1. The United States Constitution

2. Popular Sovereignty- the power and authority of the government comes from the people. Limited Government- National government does not have absolute authority Government must follow the Rule of Law- Constitutionalism Government must conduct itself on the constitutional principles

3. Federalism- sharing the power between the state and national government *Federal Powers- coin money, regulate trade, establish post offices, declare war, maintain an army. *State Powers- qualifications for voting, conduct elections, create local governments, maintain schools *Shared Powers- levying taxes, defining crime

4. Legislative- (Congress)- Article I House of Representatives Senate Power to make laws Collect Taxes, regulate trade between nations/states, declare war, establish post offices, raise an army, coin and print money, etc.

5. Executive- (President)- Article II President, Vice President, Cabinet (Presidential Advisors), Other Essential Personnel of Departments (ie. Homeland Security, Defense, State, etc) Power to enforce laws.

6. Judicial- (Supreme Court)- Article III National and State Courts Supreme Court, District Court, Small Claims Court, Family Court, Appeals Courts, Regional Courts, etc. Interpret Laws

7. Legislative Checks: Senate- approve Presidential appointments Senate- approves treaties of the President Override a Presidential veto on a law Impeach or remove a President, Vice President, or appointed official. Propose amendments to the Constitution to overrride the judicial decision

8. Executive Checks: Veto a bill passed by Congress Call special Congressional sessions Recommend legislation

9. Judicial Checks: Judicial Review- Supreme Court may declare an act of Congress or the President unconstitutional (going against the rule of law- constitution) POWER OF THE PEOPLE CHECKS: Voters elect representatives directly Limits on voter qualifications

10. Relations Among the States Each state recognize the laws, court decisions, and records of all other states (marriage license, driver license) Privileges of the States Extradition of individuals from one state to another Federal Protections of individual states

11. The Amending (Amendment) Process Allows changes to the Constitution Must have 2/3 majority of Congress 3/4 ratification by the state legislatures

12. National Supremacy Supremacy Clause- states that all national laws (federal) are supreme over the state laws. No state may pass a law that contradicts or impedes a federal law Example: No state can grant individuals to legally drink at the age of 20 because the federal law states the legal age is 21. (same goes for voting age)

13. Ratification of the Constitution Approval of the states to adopt the new government Needed 9/13 state legislatures to approve the Constitution for it to go into affect.

14. Key Examples: Limited Government- 3 branches of government Consent of the Governed- Direct election of representatives Equality Under the Law- Judicial Court System Rule of Law- Constitution Majority Rule- The House of Representatives and the Senate Guaranteed Rights and Freedoms- Bill of Rights