7 Principles of the Constitution

How Does the Constitution Work

The United States ConstitutionQuick Facts

• Signed into being on September 17, 1787 forming the basis for US Government.

• 3 Parts:– Preamble—Introduction; establishes purpose of US

government– Articles—7 articles provide guidelines for how

government will operate– Amendments—27 changes to the original document

make Constitution a “living document”

What is a Principle?

• A principle is a basic rule that guides and influences thought or action.

• Principles guide our decision-making, thus keep us in order .

• What principles do you live by and why?

• How do those principles affect your everyday actions?

American Principles

• Where do guiding US principles come from?

(1) old US documents(2) Philosophers

(Enlightenment)(3) old world documents

• The government follows these principles when making laws & decisions.

7 Guiding Principles7 Guiding Principles::1. Popular Sovereignty1. Popular Sovereignty2. Republicanism2. Republicanism3. Federalism3. Federalism4. Separation of Powers4. Separation of Powers5. Checks and Balances5. Checks and Balances6. Limited Government6. Limited Government7. Individual Rights7. Individual Rights

Popular Sovereignty

• Definition – A government in which the people rule

• Popular: People• Sovereignty: Power or Controller • This means they participate by voting.• Example – People can run for office,

campaign for individuals who run, or protest decisions made by others.

Republicanism

• Definition – People vote for people to represent their views. (Representative Government)

• You can’t have the whole population vote on everything, so you vote on people who share similar beliefs and allow them to vote.

Federalism

• Definition – A system of government in which powers are shared by the state and national government.

• In our system, the national government does have ultimate authority, but states have a lot to say in what goes on as well.

• Powers for the national government = delegated powers

• Powers for the state government = reserved powers• Powers shared between the national and the state are

concurrent powers.

Separation of Power

• Definition – Divides the roles of government into 3 branches:

Executive, Legislative, and Judicial

• Why? So that one person or one group of people do not control everything and become too powerful.

3 Branches of the US Government

Check and Balances

• Definition – Each of the 3 branches of government has a little control, or check, on the other 2 branches.

• This balances power between the 3, ensuring that none of the branches get out of control.

• Example – Federal judges are nominated by the President, but have to be approved by Congress.

Checks and Balances

Limited Government

• Definition – Everybody has to follow the same laws, even members of the government.

• If a Representative killed a man, he would face a trial just like everybody else.

Individual Rights

• Definition – Personal liberties and privileges that people are born with and can not be taken away.

• The Bill of Rights, the first Ten Amendments, was created to list out all of these rights so people know when the government tries to take them away.

Putting it all together…

Citizens and Government in the United States share in a reciprocal relationship. While the power to

rule is derived from the people, the government is bound by the Constitution to respect and guard the

rights of those citizens.

Challenge: In what ways do the Constitutional principles imbedded in our founding document ensure the people’s rights will be protected?