1. Constitutional Principles

2. Bellringer 3.1:
Did you belong to the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or 4H?
Explain the basic principles, or rules, of these organizations.
Discuss the value of such principles.
What are the principles in which the Constitution is based on?

3. 6 Principles of the Constitution
Principle – a basic truth or law
One principle of education is that all kids can learn !
People live according to their principles… the laws of their life:
like honesty, hard work, faith, or love.

4. The Constitution rests on six basic principles:
Popular Sovereignty
Rule of Law
Separation of Powers and
Checks and Balances
Federalism
Independent Judiciary
Individual Rights

5. Popular Sovereignty “People power”
The PEOPLE have the right to alter or abolish their government.
The Preamble, or opening statement,
of the Constitution begins “We the people. . .”

6. The Principles of the Constitution Popular Sovereignty
The framers of the constitution included the principle of Popular Sovereignty in their design of the new government.
Simply explained, this means that the people rule this country.
The people elect public officials to represent them in free and frequent elections.
Citizens can vote at the age of 18.
“We the People of the United States…do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

7. Rule of Law
The government has only the powers that the Constitution gives it.
No one is above the law. Even government officials must obey the law.

8. South Carolina Governor
Rule of Law
South Carolina Governor
Sanford was
Impeached for
Spending govt. money
On personal trips
Rod Blagojevich,
Illinois Governor
Was impeached
And removed from
Office for trying to
Sell a senatorship

9. Rule of Law Framers wanted to guard against tyranny.
Government is limited to the power given in the Constitution.
The Constitution tells how leaders who overstep their power can be removed.

10. Separation of Powers
The Constitution divides the government into three branches.
Makes the laws
Executes the laws
Interprets the laws

11. Separation of Powers

12. Checks & Balances Check – to stop or limit another
In soccer one player checks another by stealing the ball
In football one player checks another by blocking or tackling the other player
In hockey one player hits another player to get control of the hockey puck

13. Checks and Balances
Each branch of government has the power to check, or limit, the actions of the other two.
This guards against the abuse of power.

14. Can Declare Acts of Congress Unconstitutional
Can Override Presidential Veto
Can Declare Actions Unconstitutional
Can Impeach And Remove President
Can Veto Laws
Appoints Federal Judges
Can Declare Acts of Congress Unconstitutional
Can Impeach and Remove Judges

15. Checks & Balances Congress can pass a bill but the
President can VETO the
bill and it doesn’t become a law

16. Checks & Balances Supreme Court declares laws that segregate
Schools for all kids
Schools for Nonwhite Kids
Schools for White Kids
Supreme Court declares laws that segregate
Students by race as UNCONSTITUTIONAL or
Against the Constitution and illegal:
Judicial branch checks legislative branch

17. Checks & Balances
2/3 of
House and Senate
Override the VETO

18. Federalism
The national government is given certain powers by the Constitution
Whatever is left is a power for the states to use

19. Federalism
Definition – Power is shared by the state and federal 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.

20. Federalism Federal Powers State Powers Shared Powers
- Create and Maintain an Army
-Establish and Maintain Schools
-POWER TO TAX
- Coin Money $$$$$$$$$$$
-POWER TO BORROW MONEY
-Grant licenses
-Declare War
-Provide For
Public Safety

21. Independent Judiciary
Judges serve for life (“in good behavior”)
The pay of judges cannot be reduced
This keeps judges from being influenced by the other branches!

22. Individual Rights

23. Individual Rights
Press
Petition
Religion
Assembly
Speech