1. 7 principles for 7th Grade

2. Popular Sovereignty
Definition – The belief that people can and should govern themselves; the people rule.
Example –Rule is not passed down based on blood lines, or seized in a military coup. Leaders are chosen by the people.
Also, if the government does something a citizen doesn’t like, that person can protest or question those decisions.
The people loan their power to the government. They don’t give it up. And they can take it back.

3. Republicanism
Definition – People vote for candidates who represent their views in government. (Representative Government)
You can’t have the whole population vote on every issue, so you vote for people who share similar beliefs and allow them to make decisions in your name.
Direct election of Senators and Representatives.

4. Federalism
Definition – Power is shared by the state and federal government.
In our system, the national government does have ultimate authority, but the states have a big say in decision and law making too.
Powers of the national government = delegated powers,
Powers of the state government = reserved powers,
Powers shared between the national and the state are concurrent powers.

5. Separation of Powers
Definition – The Federal government is divided into 3 branches - Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.
This system prevents any one branch from gaining too much power and turning the country towards tyranny.

6. Checks and Balances
Definition – Each of the 3 branches of government has a check on the other 2 branches. This balances power between the 3, ensuring that none of the branches seize control.
Example – Federal judges are nominated by the President, but have to be approved by Congress.
Bills must be passed by both houses of the legislative branch, signed by the president, and can even be challenged in the courts.

7. Limited Government
Definition – Everybody has to follow the same laws, even members of the government.
If a Representative committed a crime, he/she would face a trial just like everybody else.

8. Individual Rights
Definition – Personal liberties (Unalienable Rights) are rights that people are born with and can not be taken away by the government without due process.
The Bill of Rights, the first Ten Amendments to the Constitution, was created specifically to ensure the rights of the people.