1. The Principles of Government The foundation of American government

2. We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for f the United States of America. THE PREAMBLE OF THE CONSTITUTION https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30OyU4 O80i4

3. The United States Constitution Article I – Establishes the legislative branch Article II – Establishes the executive branch Article III – Establishes the Judicial branch Article IV – Establishes the balance between states and the federal government Article V – Explains how to amend (change) the Constitution Article VI - Establishes the Constitution as supreme law of the land Article VII - Ratification requirements

4. Popular sovereignty Separation of powers Federalism Limited governemnt The principles of the Constitution Checks and balance system

5. 1. POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY O the principle that people have the ultimate authority & the power to govern O Based on Locke’s Social Contract O In exchange for order & protections, people give up some rights O “right to revolt”

6. So….popular sovereignty essentially means that WE THE PEOPLE give our government its authority…

7. The United States government is a REPUBLIC or a representative democracy. What is the difference between direct and indirect democracy? Why would the Founding Fathers establish a republic? If we as citizens are unhappy with our government, how do we “revolt”? How does popular sovereignty work in a country our size?

8. 2. LIMITED GOVERNMENT O No government is all powerful O Governments can only do what the people have given it the power to do. O Basic powers are split between 3 branches of government – no branch is all powerful

9. Government is also limited because power is DIVIDED between central (federal) and regional(state) governments. http://www.engagewithease.com/unit-4---federalism.html

10. The Father Fathers separated and divided the powers of the federal government between the three branches of government. 3. Separation of powers

12. The Legislative Branch O Legislative = law making

13. Unicameral or Bicameral legislature? Advantages of a unicameral legislature Advantages of a bicameral legislature O Faster/efficient O More responsive to public opinion O Divided power = safer government O More deliberate in decision making O Represent differing interests in society

14. The Executive Branch

15. The Judicial Branch

16. 4. Checks and balances Each branch of government has the ability to “check” the power of the other two. Each branch has a little power over the others.

17. http://www.posterenvy.com/servlet/the-1642/The-American-System-of/Detail CHECKS AND BALANCE SYSTEM Each branch has powers over the others.

18. 5. RULE OF LAW O The power of government is limited because it TOO has to obey the law. O Government must be conducted according to the Constitution

19. Name three ways the powers of the federal or central government are limited.