Download The Constitution The Principals of the Constitution of the United

The Constitution
The Principals of the
Constitution of the United
States
Popular Sovereignty
The people hold the ultimate authority
A representative democracy lets the people
elect leaders to make decisions for them.
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II. Limited Gov’t
Framers wanted to guard against tyranny
Government is limited to the power given them in
the Constitution.
The Constitution tells how leaders who overstep
their power can be removed
III. Federalism
The division of power between State and
National Governments
Some powers are shared
The National Government has the “supreme
power”
IV. Separation of Powers
No one holds “too much” power
Legislative branch makes the laws
Executive branch carries out the laws
Legislative branch interprets the laws
Senate and House of Representatives
Legislative Branch
Make our laws Elastic Clause Art 1 Section 8
The Congress shall have Power - To make all Laws which shall be
necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing
Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the
Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer
thereof.
Appropriate Money
Regulate Immigration
Establish Post Offices and Roads
Regulate Interstate Commerce and
Transportation
Executive Branch
The President of the United States
Chief Executive
Chief of State
Chief Legislator
Commander in Chief
Judicial
Branch
Supreme Court and other Federal Courts
Preserve and protect the rights guaranteed by the
Constitution
Considers cases involving national laws
Declares laws and acts “unconstitutional”
V. Checks and Balances
Prevents the abuse of power in government
Each branch can check each other branch
Executive Checks
Propose laws to Congress
Veto laws made by Congress
Negotiate foreign treaties
Appoint federal judges
Grant pardons to federal offenders
Legislative Checks
Override president’s veto
Ratify treaties
Confirm executive appointments
Impeach federal officers and judges
Create and dissolve lower federal courts
Judicial Checks
Declare executive acts unconstitutional
Declare laws unconstitutional
Declare acts of Congress unconstitutional
The Supreme Court holds the final check
Check Your Knowledge
Which of these definitions is false?
Impeach—To be accused of doing something wrong.
Federalism—A system of gov’t splitting powers between nat’l
nd state gov’t.
Judicial Review—Power of the Supreme Court to pass laws.
Concurrent power—Powers that are shared by state
and nat’l government.
Check Your Knowledge
The Constitution was based on the principle of
a. virtual representation
b. supreme state governments
c. supreme central government
d. federalism
Check Your Knowledge
The Federalists believed the passage of the Constitution
was necessary to preserve the Union because
a. individual states could reject national policy
b. The Congress was getting too powerful
c. the individual states had too little power
d. A Bill of Rights was necessary
Checks and Balances
Use the textbook to help you complete the Checks and
Balances Worksheet