1. Popular Sovereignty The Preamble begins with the phrase “We the People” for a reason. Power comes from the government’s legitimacy with the people, not from God, the barrel of a gun, or the fact that somebody’s dad once ruled the land. If the government doesn’t meet the people’s needs, it can be replaced.

2. Limited Government The government only has the power to do what the Constitution gives it the power to do. It is not above the law. There is a strong bias in parts of the Constitution towards state and local control. This limits the power of the central government.

3. Separation of Powers The federal and all 50 state governments are divided into 3 branches. This prevents the concentration of power. The Legislative Branch (Congress) passes the laws. The Executive Branch, headed by the president, carries out the laws. The Judicial Branch (the courts) interpret the laws.

4. Checks and Balances Each branch of government has its unique powers, but each branch often needs to cooperate with the other branches to get things done. Example: Only Congress can send a bill (an idea for a law) to the President, who either signs it into law or rejects it. The courts can strike down the law if they find it unconstitutional, but the president chooses the judges and the Senate (part of Congress) approves them.

5. Judicial Review Judicial Review—The power of the courts to determine whether what the government does is constitutional. Courts can strike down laws that are unconstitutional—violations of the Constitution. This is part of how the Constitution, which is over 200 years old, evolves with our country—lawsuits and epic power struggles decided by the judicial branch.

6. Federalism Federalism: A system of government in which a strong central government shares power with state/regional governments. The Founders balanced the need for a unified country with their fears of recreating an overly strong central government like the British monarchy. Federalism allows the central government to focus on national and international issues, leaving many local decisions to local governments.

7. Additional Resources Pgs. 65-70 of your textbook. Pause and re-watch this video to do well on tomorrow’s Exit Ticket.