1. The Constitution of the United States U.S. History

2. Basic Principles of the Constitution Popular Sovereignty- 1. Popular Sovereignty- government receives its power from the people. Limited Government- 2. Limited Government- government only has as much authority as the Constitution gives it. No one is above the law. Separation of Powers- 3. Separation of Powers- power is divided amongst 3 branches to avoid misuse of power. Checks and Balances- 4. Checks and Balances- each branch has the ability to restrain (check and balance) the other 2. Judicial Review- 5. Judicial Review- courts have the power to review acts of the federal govt. and determine constitutionality. Federalism 6. Federalism- sharing of power between federal (national) and state governments.

3. Preamble “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America” A brief introductory statement of the fundamental purposes and guiding principles that the Constitution is meant to serve.

4. Articles of the Constitution There are a total of seven articles: Article 1 = Legislative Power Article 2 = Executive Power Article 3 = Judicial Power Article 4 = State’s Powers and Limits Article 5 = Amendments Article 6 = Federal Power Article 7 = Ratification

5. Separation of Powers

6. Checks and Balances

7. The Federal System

8. The Bill of Rights 1 st 10 Amendments to the Constitution – Protects and guarantees individual liberties. 1. Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition 2. Bearing Arms (weapons) 3. Quartering of Troops 4. Searches and Seizures 5. Criminal Proceedings (Innocent until proven guilty, etc.) 6. Criminal Proceedings (Speedy, public trial) 7. Civil Trials 8. Punishment for Crimes (excessive bail, cruel/ unusual pun.) 9. Unemunerated Rights (new rights cannot deny other rights) 10. Powers Reserved to the States

9. Other Amendments You Need to Know 13 th = Abolition of slavery 14 th = Rights of Citizens 15 th = The right to vote for all men regardless of race. 19 th = The right to vote for women. 26 th = Voting age is lowered to 18.