1. The Principles of the Constitution
Ms. Ha

2. I. The U.S. Constitution A. Supreme Law of the Land 1. Highest Form
2. United States

3. II. Basic Outline: Constitution
A. Basic principles for which U.S. was
built and operates by
1. Federal Government laid out
2. How leaders are selected
3. Procedures to perform
their jobs

4. B. Framers kept it short on purpose
1. Helps in duration
2. Three parts
a) Preamble: introduction
b) Articles: seven
c) Amendments: 27

5. 3. Article One
a) Legislative Branch
b) Makes the laws

6. 4. Article Two
a. Executive Branch
b. Enforces the laws

7. 5. Article Three
a. Judicial Branch
b. Interprets the laws

8. 6. Article Four
a. States and their relationship
with the National Government

9. 7. Article Five
a. Explains how formal Amendments
can be added to the Constitution

10. 8. Article Six
a. States the U.S. Constitution is
the nation’s supreme law

11. 9. Article Seven
a. Provided for the ratification of
the U.S. Constitution

12. III. Six Principles
A. Constitution is built around six
principles

13. 1. Popular Sovereignty A. Political power rests with the people
1) People are the ONLY source for power
2) Government can only govern with the consent (agreement) of the people
“We the People”……..

14. 2. Limited Government A. No government is all-powerful
1) Do ONLY what the people want
2) Government must obey the law
3) Constitutionalism: gov. conducted
according to constitutional principles
4) Known as the “rule of law”

15. 3. Separation of Powers 1. Power is distributed among three branches
a) Legislative
b) Executive
c) Judicial

16. 4. Checks and Balances A. Three branches are “tied” together
1. Subject to checks or restraints
2. This system operates all the time

17. 5. Judicial Review
A. Power of the court to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action
1. Can declare laws illegal, null
and void
2. Federal courts hold these powers

18. 6. Federalism A. Federal Government and States 1. Power is split
2. Federalism: division of power
among the central government.