1. The Principles of the
United States Constitution

2. ♦Is the “Rule Book”
of the United States.
♦It was created to improve our
country and create a fair
government.
♦The way The Founding Fathers
wrote it, they made sure it was
flexible (could be added to or
changed if needed).

3. “The Rule Book”
Constitution
Limited Individual Rights
Republicanism Government
ers
Che
ck l is m aration Pow
B al s & er a
Fed
Pop
♦When the Founding Fathers wrote the
Constitution they made sure that there
were 7 ideas (or principals) included in it.

4. I. Popular Sovereignty
♦ The people hold the ultimate authority
♦ A representative democracy lets the people
elect leaders to make decisions for them.
♦ “We The People”

5. II. Limited Government
♦ 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

6. III. Federalism
♦ The division of power between State and
National Governments
♦ Some powers are shared

7. The Federal System/Division of Power
♦ Power was divided between State
governments and the Federal Government

8. NATIONAL GOVT SHARED STATE GOVT
•Maintain Army •Taxes •Establish School
•Establish Post Office •Courts •Marriage Laws
•Declare War •Build Roads •Local Government
•Banks

9. SHARED
MR. LEWIS MRS. LUNA
•Enforce Tardies
•Hires Teachers •Grades class papers
•Enforce Uniform
•Sets Rules for school •Makes Rules for
Code
classroom
•Suspends Students
•Strive for Student
•Puts in grades and
Success
conduct

10. IV. Separation of Powers
♦ No one holds “too much” power
♦ Legislative branch makes the laws
♦ Executive branch carries out the laws
(Executes)
♦ Judicial branch interprets the laws (Judge)

11. ♦The Framers were worried that too much
power might fall into the hands of one
group or person so they divided the work
into three areas.
I am King, We will divide
I have all the the power so it’s
power! fair.

12. Legislative Branch
♦ Senate and House of Representatives
♦ Make our laws
♦ Appropriate Money
♦ Regulate Immigration
♦ Establish Post Offices and Roads
♦ Regulate Interstate Commerce and
Transportation
♦ Declare War

13. Executive Branch
♦ The President of the United States
♦ Chief Executive
♦ Chief of State
♦ Chief Legislator
♦ Commander in Chief

14. 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”

15. V. Checks and Balances
♦ Prevents the abuse of power in government
♦ Each branch can check each other branch

16. Ch
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Ch Pr
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Pr
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Co
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Ch
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Co
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CHECKS & BALANCES
Ch
Checks Courts
Checks Congress

17. Executive Checks
♦ Propose laws to Congress
♦ Veto laws made by Congress
♦ Negotiate foreign treaties
♦ Appoint federal judges
♦ Grant pardons to federal offenders

18. Legislative Checks
♦ Override president’s veto
♦ Ratify treaties
♦ Confirm executive appointments
♦ Impeach federal officers and judges
♦ Create and dissolve lower federal courts

19. Judicial Checks
♦ Declare executive acts unconstitutional
♦ Declare laws unconstitutional
♦ Declare acts of Congress unconstitutional
♦ The Supreme Court holds the final check

20. VI. Republicanism
We the People
VOTE for who we
want to be in
charge!
VOTE VOTE
VOTE

21. ♦How do “ “ give the
government its power?
♦We VOTE!
We get to pick those people that
are in Congress, the Senate, our
President, etc.
♦Anyone that is in a public office –
we pick!

22. VII. Individual Rights
My rights are
UNALIENABLE!
That means no one can
take them away from me!!
I’d like to see you try to
take them anyway!

23. VII. Individual Rights
• Out individual rights are guaranteed in the Bill of
Rights.
• The Bill of Rights (BOR) are the first ten
amendments to the constitution.
• These rights include: Freedom of speech,
religion and press.