1. Government, Citizenship, and the Constitution
Goals and Principles of the Constitution - Chapter 8 Section 1

2. The Preamble Defines the Constitution’s Basic Goals
To form a more perfect union - The states work together as one unified nation, not as separate nations.
To establish justice - The justice system requires that the law be applied fairly to every American.
To ensure domestic tranquility - The government can ensure domestic tranquility or peace and order at home.

3. Goals of the Constitution
To provide for the common defense - To protect citizens against foreign attack, the national government can raise armies and navies. However, the military is under civilian, or nonmilitary, control.
To promote the general welfare - The national government promotes the general welfare, or the well being of all its citizens.
To secure the blessing of liberty - A major goal of the Constitution is to protect the liberty, or freedom, of Americans.

4. The Main Body of the Constitution is Divided into Seven Sections Called Articles.
The Articles Describe a Framework of Government.
Article I - Describes the legislative branch. Establishes powers and limits on Congress.
Article II - Describes the executive branch. Establishes powers and limits of the President.
Article III - Describes the judicial branch. Establishes powers and limits of the courts.

5. The Articles of the Constitution
Article IV - Explains relations between the states. Requires states to honor one another’s laws. Sets out a system for admitting new states.
Article V - Provides a process for amending the Constitution.
Article VI - Says the Constitution is the “supreme law of the land.” No state law may violate the Constitution.
Article VII – Sets up the procedure for states to ratify the Constitution.

6. The Constitution Contains Seven Basic Principles
1) Popular Sovereignty - The principle that government gets its authority from the people, therefore people have a right to change or abolish their government.
2) Limited Government - The principle that government has only the powers that the Constitution gives it. Everyone, no matter how important, must obey the law.
3) Separation of Powers - The idea of limiting government power by dividing it among different branches of government.
4) Checks and Balances - Each branch of government has power to check, or limit, actions of the other branches.

7. Principles of the Constitution
5) Federalism - The principle of dividing power between the federal government and the states.
6) Republicanism - A form of government in which citizens elect representatives to carry out their will.
7) Individual Rights - Individual rights include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to trial by jury.