Download Chapter 3, Section 4 (89-93) Principles Underlying the Constitution

Chapter 3, Section 4 (89-93)
Principles Underlying the
Constitution
Main Idea
• The Constitution sets forth the basic
principles of government.
Major Principles of Gov. (89-90)
A. Article IV guarantees “a Republican
form of Government.”
1. Framers meant a representative
democracy
2. Democracy where the people
express their will through elected
representatives.
B. Our framers embraced 5 principles
that would be foundation on which
our government is built:
1. Popular Sovereignty
2. Rule of Law
3. Separation of Powers
4. Checks and Balances
5. Federalism
I. Popular SovereigntyA. Sovereignty means “right to rule”.
Popular means “population/people”
B. “from consent of the governed”
“We the People”
***We have the right to vote for those
people! (age 18)***
II. Rule of law (87)
A. The framers believed the
government should be strong but
not too strong.
B. The Constitution sets limits by
stating what the government may
and may not do.
C. Rule of Law- law applies to all,
even those who govern!!!
III. Separation of Powers (88)
(Idea came from Baron de Montesquieu)
A. Splitting the authority into
three branches with different
functions.
***legislative, executive, and
judicial branches.***
B. To keep any one person or
group from becoming TOO
powerful. We have 3 branches for
a reason.
IV. Checks and Balances (88)
A. Keeps any one branch from becoming
TOO powerful. Each branch can check or
limit one another.
Ex: President can veto laws, Congress
can block Presidential appointments,
and Supreme Court can overturn
laws! (Chart in text on page 88)
V. Federalism (89-90)
A. Federalism- power is shared by the
national government and the states.
B. Each level has independent
authority over people at the same time.
***Americans must obey the laws of
both.***
Constitution divides powers into 3 types
(Chart page 89)
B. Expressed Powers- Powers the
constitution specifically grants to the
national government.
C. Reserved Powers- Powers reserved
for the states.
D. Concurrent Powers- Powers that
both national & state have.
E. When national and state laws
conflict:
Constitution is the FINAL AUTHORITY!
(Supremacy Clause)
***Neither national nor state laws
can conflict with it.***
F. The Constitution is both durable and
adaptable.
***It provides the sufficient power
to keep order, protect, and defend,
yet sets limits to its power.***
It is the Supreme law of the land!
Mini Quiz!!! Tom Petty- Free Fallin’
1. The Founding Fathers established how many
main principles to our government?
2. The law applies to everyone, even the
President. What is that called?
3. Powers shared by national and state
government?
4. Powers given to the state?
5. Powers specifically given to the national
government and listed in the Constitution?
6. What are Checks & Balances?