1. Basic Principles of the Constitution

2. Outline of The Constitution
The Constitution is organized into eight sections:
Preamble
Seven Articles:
Article I- Legislative Branch
Article II- Executive Branch
Article III- Judicial Branch
Article IV- relations among the states
Article V- Amending the Constitution
Article VI- Constitution is the supreme law
Article VII- ratification
27 Amendments

3. Principles of the Constitution
6 basic principles:
- Popular Sovereignty
- Limited Government
- Federalism
- Separation of Powers
- Checks & Balances
- Judicial Review

4. Popular Sovereignty “We the people…………”
Means “authority of the people”
U.S. citizens give their permission to be governed, and in return specify the powers & rules by which they are governed

5. Limited Government
specifically outlines the powers that each branch of government is given
powers not listed are granted only by the people’s permission
Rule of law- government and its officials are always subject to and never above the law

6. Federalism
Defined as a division of powers between the central and state governments
States are allowed to deal with their own needs in their own way.
Central government deals with issues that involve all Americans

7. Judicial
Branch
Executive
Branch
Legislative
Branch
Separation of Powers
Legislative Branch(Congress): makes our national laws
Executive Branch(President): carries out/oversees our national laws
Judicial Branch(Supreme Court): interprets and applies the law

8. Checks & Balances
Constitution gives each branch power, or “check”, over the other one to “balance” their power.
For example:
President can veto any Congressional law & selects the Supreme Court
Congress can impeach the President & reject Supreme Court appointments
Supreme Court can declare acts of Congress and the President unconstitutional

9. Judicial Review
Power of a court to “determine the constitutionality of a government action”
Power of judicial review is held by all federal courts and by most state courts.