1. Reviewing AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
MODULE 2A. BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION
Reviewing AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

2. LEARNING TARGET 5
Explain in context one of the basic principles that help define the government of the United States.
As the supreme law of the land, the U.S. Constitution incorporates basic principles that help define the government of the United States as a federal republic including its structure, powers and relationship with the governed (people). Basic principles that help define the government of the United States include popular sovereignty, limited government, federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances.

3. POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY
Government of every nation is sovereign—answering to no higher authority
Popular sovereignty — authority of the government is derived from the people
Government governs with the consent (approval) of the governed (the people).
Popular Sovereignty in the U.S. Constitution
Preamble begins “We the People…”
Articles 1-3 — officials are either elected by the people or chosen by representatives who were elected by the people.
The governed give their consent through voting

4. LIMITED GOVERNMENT
Limited government — government can only exercise the powers granted to it
Must be conducted according to the rule of law
Limited Government in the U.S. Constitution
defined powers are assigned to the national government
the states and the people keep the powers not assigned to national government
changing interpretations of the Constitution over time — expanded view of what powers the national government holds

5. FEDERALISM
Federalism — power is divided between a central authority and constituent units
Federalism in the U.S. Constitution
division of powers between the national government and the states
delegated powers — given exclusively to the national government
reserved powers to the states
concurrent powers — shared between national and state governments

6. SEPARATION OF POWERS
Separation of powers — distribution of governmental powers among independent branches
each of the branches has a specific field of authority and unique set of responsibilities
Separation of powers in the U.S. Constitution
distributes legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government among three separate branches
legislative branch — makes laws
executive branch — carries out laws
judicial branch — interprets laws.
goal — prevent any one group from holding too much power

7. CHECKS AND BALANCES
Checks and balances — the branches of government have the ability to restrain (limit) certain actions of other branches
Example — the process of making a law
Congress has the power to make laws
President may use veto to block a bill passed by both houses of Congress
two-thirds vote in each house, Congress can override a presidential veto, making the bill a law without the President’s signature
If a law is challenged — Supreme Court can determine whether the law is constitutional or unconstitutional

8. REVIEW AND PRACTICE
As you watch the video below, take notes on how the principles of government are reflected in the U.S. Constitution.

9. Press the esc key for edit mode
REVIEW AND PRACTICE
Complete the task below by the moving the boxes to the correct column on the chart.
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Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Federalism
Separation of Powers
The legislative branch makes laws.
Both national and state governments have the power to tax.
Members of the House of Representatives are elected by the people.
Government must be conducted according to the rule of law.
Note: Be sure to exit “Present” mode to move the boxes.

10. Press the esc key for edit mode
REVIEW AND PRACTICE
Highlight the correct answer to the question below.
Which constitutional principle is reflected in division of powers between the national government and the states? A. rule of law B. popular sovereignty C. federalism D. checks and balances
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Note: To highlight, select the “Text Color” button on the top bar, choose “Highlight” and select a color.

11. Press the esc key for edit mode
REVIEW AND PRACTICE
Answer the question below in the space provided.
Checks and balances is one of the basic principles established in the U.S. Constitution Describe two examples of how one branch can check the power of another branch of government.
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Note: Be sure to exit “Present” mode to type in the box.

12. REVIEW AND PRACTICE Click here for the Quizlet Vocabulary Practice
Click here for the Edcite Mastery Assessment Note: this assessment includes content from Modules 2A, 2B, and 2C.

13. CREDITS Developed by Columbus City Schools
Office of Teaching and Learning
Secondary Curriculum Division
Social Studies Department
Cadwal template courtesy of Slides Carnival