1. Cornell Notes Unit: Foundations of Government
Topic: Six Principles of the Constitution
Guiding Question: Which principle is the most important or significant?

2. Unit 1: Introduction to Government—The Six Basic Principles of the Constitution

3. A. Popular Sovereignty 1. The people are the government
2. The leaders govern with consent of the people

4. B. Limited Government 1. The government is not all powerful
2. Constitutionalism
3. Government is limited by rule of law

5. C. Separation of Powers
1. The governmental powers are separated by three branches:
Executive—Presidency
Legislative—Congress
Judicial—Supreme Court

6. D. Checks and Balances 1. Each branch can check the other
Presidency—Executes Laws (Veto Power)
Congress—Creates Laws (Passes Laws 2/3s Override)
Supreme Court—Determines whether laws are constitutional

8. E. Judicial Review
1. The Court can determine whether the government is acting within the law.
2. The Court protects the rights of American citizens

9. F. Federalism
1. Division of Power between central and regional governments (States and Federal Government)