1. Principles of the Constitution

2. The Big Idea The Constitution is based on six broad principles: popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, judicial review and federalism.

3. Popular Sovereignty Constitution Limited Government Checks & Balances Federalism Judicial Review Separation of Powers

4. Let’s Make Sure

5. Articles of the Constitution These make up the general formation of our government There are 7

6. Article 1: Legislative First and longest article powers requirements of its members allows for taxation of the American people Article 2: Executive Creates the Presidency Powers of the President Leaves a lot unsaid Creates the electoral college

7. Article 3: Judicial Establishes a Supreme Court as well as lower courts Constitution is the “Supreme Law of the Land” Federal cases Article 4: State & National Gov. Defines federalism No law created by the states can contradict Federal Law Subject to the Constitution

8. Article 5: Amendments First and longest article powers requirements of its members allows for taxation of the American people Article 6: Supremacy First and longest article powers requirements of its members allows for taxation of the American people

9. Article 7: Ratification 9 of the 13 states had to approve the Constitution in order for it to be ratified

10. The clerk who wrote out the Constitution was paid 30 dollars (726 today) When the Constitution was signed the US population was 4 Million and now has 309 million The word democracy doesn’t appear in the Constitution Vermont ratified the Constitution before it was even a State

11. Principles All power is with the people and they are the only source for the government’s powers AKA Consent of the Governed Constitution Popular Sovereignty

12. No Government is all powerful the gov. can do only the things the people have given them power to do gov must obey the laws Constitutionalism Rule of law G0v. is always subject to and never above the law Constitution Limited Government

13. The Constitution distributes power to the three branches the first lines of the first 3 articles make this clear Constitution Separation of Powers

14. The 3 Branches are not completely separate nor entirely independent of one another Complex system number of constitutional check Constitution Checks & Balances

15. An aspect of Checks and Balances The Courts determine the Constitutionality of an action Marbury vs. Madison Constitution Judicial Review

16. The division of power among the central government and regional governments Constitution Federalism

17. The Supremacy Clause Article VI, Section 2 of the Constitution is known as the Supremacy Clause The Constitution, and the Laws of the US which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the US, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding. In a few sentences, explain why the framers of the constitution might have included this