1. 7 Principles of the Constitution

2. 7 Principles of the …
When I say playbook…
YOU SAY…
CONSTITUTION!!!

3. 1. Limited Government/Rule of Law
What if the President of the United States murdered someone on the side of the road?
What would happen to him?
Discuss with your partner for 1 minute.

4. 1. Limited Government
The President would be arrested and taken to jail!!!!
Law is over the Government!
The government ONLY has the powers given to it by the Constitution. L G

5. 2. Individual / Natural / Unalienable Rights
You just named a Principle of the Constitution.
These are rights that CANNOT be taken away from you.
They belong to you from birth!

6. 2. Individual Rights You also have the right to…
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness!

7. 3. Federalism-Powers divided top down
National – USA
State – TX
Local – City / County
Think 10th Amendment!!!!

8. Put these in order of Federalism – Turn and talk
APD
FBI
Highway Patrol
State Legislature
City Council
Washington D.C. Capital

9. Put these in order of Federalism
SAT
STAAR Test
Benchmark
Municipal Court
District Court
U.S. Supreme Court

10. 4. Separation of Powers
Three Ring Circus

11. 4. Separation of powers

12. 5. Checks and Balances
Each branch can CHECK and BALANCE the other to make sure they don’t get too much power!
Example – Judges (J)can declare
laws (L) unconstitutional

13. 6. Popular Sovereignty Population = PEOPLE
Reign = RULE
Popular Sovereignty = PEOPLE
RULE

14. 6. Popular Sovereignty
How do the people have power?
Through voting!

15. 7. Republicanism
Do you think we could fit all of those people in the US Capital to have them all vote at once?

16. 7. Republicanism
No way!
Republicanism is when we choose representatives to govern FOR US!
REP

17. History of the Texas Constitution
Current Constitution written in 1876
8th constitution so far
666 proposed amendments
491 passed
US Constitution 1787 – 27 amendments