1. Basic Principles of the Constitution
Chapter 3, section 1
Pages 64-70

2. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC Democracy: government rule by the people
Democratic Republic: a representative democracy where citizens elect politicians to act on their behalf, and represent the people’s view

3. Popular Sovereignty All political power resides in the people
They are the only source for any and all governmental power

4. Limited Government No Government is all-powerful
Government may do only those things that the people have given it the power to do
The Rule of Law

5. Separation of Powers
Basic powers are distributed among three branches of government

6. 1. People are the source of all government authority, and vote for politicians they support.
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers

7. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers
2. President is responsible for the executing, enforcing, and administering the law
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers

8. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers
3. “Congress shall make no law” denying individual freedoms of the 1st Amendment
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers

9. 4. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) must obey all laws.
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers

10. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers
5. Only the President may negotiate treaties (agreements) with other countries.
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers

11. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers
6. US Senators may not exceed the speed limit while driving on the roads.
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers

12. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers
7. Citizens may protest the government when people disagree with decisions of the President or Congress.
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers

13. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers
8. Trials may be witnessed by citizens (“We the People”) to verify that trials are fair.
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers

14. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers
9. Congress (the House and the Senate) must pass a law for it to be considered by the President.
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers

15. 10. Federal judges make legal decisions, not the President.
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers

16. 11. The President serves as Commander in Chief of the US Military.
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers

17. Checks and Balances
Each branch is subject to a number of constitutional checks by the other branches
Each branch has certain powers with which it can check the operations of the other two

23. Judicial Review
Power of courts to determine if government is following the Constitution
Declare unconstitutional any government action that violates the Constitution
Established with Marbury v. Madison (1803)

25. Federalism
The division of power among a central government and several regional governments
The National Government holds some powers, others belong to the 50 states.

26. Congress must have a two-thirds vote in each house to override a veto.
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism

27. This practice was established in Marbury vs. Madison, 1803.
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism

28. Educational requirements vary from state to state.
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism

29. Only Congress has the power to declare war.
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism

30. Presidential appointees are subject to approval by the Senate
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism

31. Barack Obama is elected President of the United States
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism

32. The Rule of Law Popular Sovereignty Limited Government
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism

33. In Pennsylvania, people pay both a State and Federal Income Tax
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism

34. Government may exercise only those powers delegated to it.
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism

35. Federal courts may declare illegal any government action violating the Constitution.
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism

36. Government can govern only with the consent of the governed.
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism

37. “All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in Congress. . .”
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism

38. All treaties made by the President must be ratified by the Senate.
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism

39. The Supreme Court has voided more than 900 state laws as unconstitutional.
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism

40. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers
Powers not specifically given to the federal government by the Constitution are retained by the States.
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism