Basic Principles found throughout the United States Constitution

2012

• To make sure that each branch is not too powerful “Power should be a check to power.”

• The President is the commander-in-chief of the army and the navy, but only Congress can declare war in the Executive Branch.

• Congress approves presidential nominations in the Legislative Branch.

• http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_some_examples_of_Checks_and_Balances

Check and Balances

Power divided between central governments and states.

FEDERALISM

Right to bear arms. Federal gives broad rule and states individualize it.Gay rights are federal but states decide to narrow it down on what.

INDIVIDUAL RIGHTSDefinition: Individual rights are personal rights that apply to yourself 2 Examples: Freedom of speech Freedom to protestPicture: Native rights protest

LIMITED GOVERNMENT Everybody must obey the law. People may not manipulate the law for

their interests. Ex. President Brett wants a hot tub so he

decides to force all hot tubs to be free.

A government were people rule

Examples• The people voting for the president• People inputting ideas to leaders

Popular Sovereignty

RepublicanismDefinition: A form of government in which the people elect people to represent them. Ex: Voting for the candidate you want to be president.Ex: Voting for senator.

Separation of Powers Definition: The separation of

government makes 3 different groups and they have 3 different roles. No group is given all of the power.

Examples: The 3 groupsLegislative-Makes the lawsExecutive- Enforces the lawsJudicial- Interprets the laws

SEVEN BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION· POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY- the government’s right to rule comes from the people· LIMITED GOVERNMENT- the government has only the powers that the

Constitution gives to it· SEPARATION OF POWER- the Constitution divides the government and its duties

into three branches: Congress- legislative branch makes laws President- executive branch carries out the laws Courts- judicial branch explains and interprets the laws

· CHECKS AND BALANCES- each branch of government has the power to check or limit the actions of the other branches

· FEDERALISM- division of power between the federal government and the states.

· REPUBLICANISM- citizens elect representatives to carry out their will· INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS- the Constitution protects individual rights such as freedom

of speech, freedom religion, etc.

On the back of this page – in each square, name the principle, briefly summarize it in your own words (using less than 10

words), and draw a picture that shows what the principle means. Color your pictures. Be neat, original, and creative.

The Seven Principles of the United

States Constitution