1. Key Ideals and Principles in the United States Constitution

2. Preamble’s Basic Goals
To form a more perfect union
The states work together as one unified nation, not as separate nations.
To establish justice
The justice system requires that the law be applied fairly to every American.
To ensure domestic tranquility
The government can ensure domestic tranquility, or peace and order at home.
To provide for the common defense
To protect citizens against foreign attack, the national government can raise armies and navies. However, the military is under civilian, or nonmilitary, control.
To promote the general welfare
The national government promotes the general welfare, or the well-being of all its citizens.
To secure the blessing of liberty
A major goal of the Constitution is to protect the liberty, or freedom, of Americans.
Preamble—opening statement

3. Basic Outline of the Constitution
Article I
Describes the legislative branch. Establishes powers and limits on Congress.
Article II
Describes the executive branch. Establishes powers and limits of the President.
Article III
Describes the judicial branch. Establishes powers and limits of the courts.
Article IV
Explains relations between the states. Requires states to honor one another’s laws. Sets out a system for admitting new states.
Article V
Provides a process for amending the Constitution.
Article VI
Says the Constitution is the “supreme law of the land.” No state law may violate the Constitution.

4. Seven Basic Principles of Government
Popular Sovereignty
The principle that government gets its authority from the people, therefore people have a right to change or abolish their government.
Limited Government
The principle that government has only the powers that the Constitution gives it. Everyone, no matter how important, must obey the law.
Separation of Powers
The idea of limiting government power by dividing it among different branches of government.
Checks and Balances
Each branch of government has power to check, or limit, actions of the other branches.
Federalism
The principle of dividing power between the federal government and the states.
Republicanism
A form of government in which citizens elect representatives to carry out their will.
Individual Rights
Individual rights include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to trial by jury.

5. Popular Sovereignty The people hold the ultimate authority
A representative democracy lets the people elect leaders to make decisions for them

6. Seven Basic Principles of Government
Popular Sovereignty
The principle that government gets its authority from the people, therefore people have a right to change or abolish their government.
Limited Government
The principle that government has only the powers that the Constitution gives it. Everyone, no matter how important, must obey the law.
Separation of Powers
The idea of limiting government power by dividing it among different branches of government.
Checks and Balances
Each branch of government has power to check, or limit, actions of the other branches.
Federalism
The principle of dividing power between the federal government and the states.
Republicanism
A form of government in which citizens elect representatives to carry out their will.
Individual Rights
Individual rights include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to trial by jury.

7. 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 over step their power can be removed
Impeachment

8. Seven Basic Principles of Government
Popular Sovereignty
The principle that government gets its authority from the people, therefore people have a right to change or abolish their government.
Limited Government
The principle that government has only the powers that the Constitution gives it. Everyone, no matter how important, must obey the law.
Separation of Powers
The idea of limiting government power by dividing it among different branches of government.
Checks and Balances
Each branch of government has power to check, or limit, actions of the other branches.
Federalism
The principle of dividing power between the federal government and the states.
Republicanism
A form of government in which citizens elect representatives to carry out their will.
Individual Rights
Individual rights include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to trial by jury.

9. Separation of Powers No one holds “too much power”
Developed by Montesquieu
Legislative branch makes the laws
Senate and House of Representatives
Executive branch carries out the laws
The President of the United States
Judicial branch interprets the laws
Supreme Court and other Federal Courts

10. Separation of Powers

11. Seven Basic Principles of Government
Popular Sovereignty
The principle that government gets its authority from the people, therefore people have a right to change or abolish their government.
Limited Government
The principle that government has only the powers that the Constitution gives it. Everyone, no matter how important, must obey the law.
Separation of Powers
The idea of limiting government power by dividing it among different branches of government.
Checks and Balances
Each branch of government has power to check, or limit, actions of the other branches.
Federalism
The principle of dividing power between the federal government and the states.
Republicanism
A form of government in which citizens elect representatives to carry out their will.
Individual Rights
Individual rights include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to trial by jury.

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

13. Seven Basic Principles of Government
Popular Sovereignty
The principle that government gets its authority from the people, therefore people have a right to change or abolish their government.
Limited Government
The principle that government has only the powers that the Constitution gives it. Everyone, no matter how important, must obey the law.
Separation of Powers
The idea of limiting government power by dividing it among different branches of government.
Checks and Balances
Each branch of government has power to check, or limit, actions of the other branches.
Federalism
The principle of dividing power between the federal government and the states.
Republicanism
A form of government in which citizens elect representatives to carry out their will.
Individual Rights
Individual rights include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to trial by jury.

14. Federalism
The division of power between State and National governments
Some powers are shared
The National Government has the “supreme power”

15. Federalism

16. Seven Basic Principles of Government
Popular Sovereignty
The principle that government gets its authority from the people, therefore people have a right to change or abolish their government.
Limited Government
The principle that government has only the powers that the Constitution gives it. Everyone, no matter how important, must obey the law.
Separation of Powers
The idea of limiting government power by dividing it among different branches of government.
Checks and Balances
Each branch of government has power to check, or limit, actions of the other branches.
Federalism
The principle of dividing power between the federal government and the states.
Republicanism
A form of government in which citizens elect representatives to carry out their will.
Individual Rights
Individual rights include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to trial by jury.

17. Republicanism
A system of government in which citizens rule themselves through elected representatives
Founders looked to the Roman Republic as an example
Virtues like independence and public service appealed to Founders
Threats of dictatorship

18. Seven Basic Principles of Government
Popular Sovereignty
The principle that government gets its authority from the people, therefore people have a right to change or abolish their government.
Limited Government
The principle that government has only the powers that the Constitution gives it. Everyone, no matter how important, must obey the law.
Separation of Powers
The idea of limiting government power by dividing it among different branches of government.
Checks and Balances
Each branch of government has power to check, or limit, actions of the other branches.
Federalism
The principle of dividing power between the federal government and the states.
Republicanism
A form of government in which citizens elect representatives to carry out their will.
Individual Rights
Individual rights include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to trial by jury.

19. Individual Rights Magna Carta English Bill of Rights
No one is above the law including the king
Everyone has certain rights (started with nobles then extended to other groups)
English Bill of Rights
Elections should be held on a regular basis
Upheld rights to trial by jury and rights to bear arms and habeas corpus

20. Individual Rights John Locke and Natural Rights
Everyone has natural rights to life, liberty, and property
Agreement between ruler and ruled
Ruler must enforce laws and protect people
Ruled have a right to rebel if rights are not protected