1. Principles of the Constitution
How Does the Constitution Work

2. The United States Constitution Quick Facts
Signed into being on September 17, 1787 forming the basis for US Government.
3 Parts:
Preamble—Introduction; establishes purpose of US government
Articles—7 articles provide guidelines for how government will operate
Amendments—27 changes to the original document make Constitution a “living document”

3. What is a Principle?
A principle is a basic rule that guides and influences thought or action.
Principles guide our decision-making, thus keep us in order .
What principles do you live by and why?
How do those principles affect your everyday actions?

4. American Principles Where do guiding US principles come from?
(1) old US documents
(2) Philosophers (Enlightenment)
(3) old world documents
The government follows these principles when making laws & decisions.

5. Popular Sovereignty Definition – A government in which the people rule
Popular: People
Sovereignty: Power or Controller
This means they participate by voting.
Example – People can run for office, campaign for individuals who run, or protest decisions made by others.

6. Limited Government
Definition – Everybody has to follow the same laws, even members of the government.
If a Representative killed a man, he would face a trial just like everybody else.

7. Separation of Power
Definition – Divides the roles of government into 3 branches:
Executive, Legislative, and Judicial
Why? So that one person or one group of people do not control everything and become too powerful.

8. 3 Branches of the US Government

9. Check and Balances
Definition – Each of the 3 branches of government has a little control, or check, on the other 2 branches.
This balances power between the 3, ensuring that none of the branches get out of control.
Example – Federal judges are nominated by the President, but have to be approved by Congress.

10. Checks and Balances

11. Judicial Review
Definition – The Judiciary has the power to strike down laws and other government actions as invalid under the Constitution
Thanks to Marbury v. Madison the Supreme Court has the power of judicial review.
The court most often looks at federal law, but can be called upon to look at State law.

12. Federalism
Definition – A system of government in which powers are shared by the state and national government.
In our system, the national government does have ultimate authority, but states have a lot to say in what goes on as well.
Powers for the national government = delegated powers
Powers for the state government = reserved powers
Powers shared between the national and the state are concurrent powers.

14. Putting it all together…
Citizens and Government in the United States share in a reciprocal relationship. While the power to rule is derived from the people, the government is bound by the Constitution to respect and guard the rights of those citizens.
Challenge: In what ways do the Constitutional principles imbedded in our founding document ensure the people’s rights will be protected?