1. The Five Principles Underlying the United States Constitution

2. I. Popular Sovereignty The power lies with the people.
A representative democracy lets the people elect leaders to make decisions for them.

3. II. Rule of Law Framers wanted to guard against tyranny.
Government officials are limited to the power given to them in the Constitution.
The Constitution tells how leaders who overstep their power can be removed.

4. III. Separation of Powers
No one holds “too much” power.
Legislative branch makes the laws.
Executive branch carries out the laws.
Judicial branch interprets the laws.

5. Legislative Branch Make laws House of Representatives Senate
435 members
Serves a two year term
Must be 25 years old and a citizen for 7 years
Can propose tax laws
Can impeach a president
Senate
100 members
Serves a six year term
Must be 30 years old and a citizen for 9 years
Can approve presidential appointments
Ratify treaties with foreign governments
Can try the President after impeachment

6. Legislative Branch Can propose laws Can declare war
Can override a president’s veto with 2/3 vote
Can propose amendments to the Constitution with a 2/3 vote

7. Executive Branch The President of the United States Enforces laws
Serves a 4 year term
Must be 35 years olds, a 14 year resident, and native born
Has power to approve or veto laws
Makes treaties with foreign governments
Nominates judges to the Supreme Court
Appoints cabinet members
Is Commander-in-Chief of military

8. Judicial Branch Supreme Court and other Federal Courts.
Interprets laws
Justices serve for life
Declares laws and acts “unconstitutional”
Can settle disputes involving the U.S.
Can settle disputes between states.
Chief Justice resides over impeachment trial of the President.

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

10. Checks & Balances

11. Executive Checks On the Legislative Executive Checks On the Judicial
* Can propose laws
Executive
Checks
On the
Legislative
* Can veto laws
* Makes appointments
Executive
Checks
On the
Judicial
Executive
* Negotiates foreign treaties
* Appoints federal judges
* Can call special
sessions of Congress
* Can grant pardons
to federal offenders
Legislative
Judicial

12. Legislative Checks On the Judicial Legislative Checks On the Executive
* Create lower federal courts
Legislative
Checks
On the
Executive
* Can impeach and remove judges
* Confirms executive appointments
* Approves appointments of federal judges
* Ratifies treaties
* Can propose amendments to
overrule judicial decisions
* Appropriates money
* Can override President’s veto
* Can impeach and remove President
Judicial
Legislative

13. the Legislative Branch
Executive
Judicial Checks on
the Executive Branch
* Can declare
Executive actions
unconstitutional
* Can declare acts of
Congress unconstitutional
Legislative
Judicial Checks on
the Legislative Branch
Judicial

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

15. So What? (What’s important to understand about this?)
Key Topic
Federalism
is about…
The Constitution establishes a division of power between the ________________and ________________governments
Main idea
Main idea
Main idea
Nat’l gov’t powers
State gov’t powers
Shared powers
_______ powers
_______ powers
_______ powers
Powers _______ or _______
Powers not given to the nat’l gov’t are _______ for state governments
Powers shared by _______ gov’t and _______ gov’ts
Foreign policy- _______ , _______
Public _______
Enforce _______
Regulate Commerce- _______
Public safety- _______
Establish _______
Regulate currency- _______
Public welfare- _______ , _______
Collect _______
Establish a _______ system
Borrow _______
So What? (What’s important to understand about this?)
The Constitution _______ or _______ powers to both the national government and the state governments.

16. So What? (What’s important to understand about this?)
Key Topic
Federalism
is about…
The Constitution establishes a division of power between the national and state governments
Main idea
Main idea
Main idea
Nat’l gov’t powers
State gov’t powers
Shared powers
Supreme powers
Reserved powers
Concurrent powers
Powers expressed or implied
Powers not given to the nat’l gov’t are reserved for state governments
Powers shared by nat’l gov’t and state gov’ts
Foreign policy- wars, treaties
Public health
Enforce laws
Regulate Commerce- trade
Public safety- police
Establish courts
Regulate currency- money
Public welfare- education, elections
Collect taxes
Establish a postal system
Borrow money
So What? (What’s important to understand about this?)
The Constitution denies or limits powers to both the national government and the state governments.

17. 5 Principles Underlying the Constitution
_________________ _________________ – power lies w/ the people
_________________– all people must follow the law
_________________ _________________ – power is divided among the 3 branches
_________________ and _________________ – each branch checks on the others to make sure one doesn’t become too powerful
_________________– power is shared between the federal and state governments
_________________(_________________ ) powers – powers left to the federal gov’t
_________________ powers – powers left to the states
_________________ powers – powers shared by both

18. 5 Principles Underlying the Constitution
Popular Sovereignty – power lies w/ the people
Rule of Law – all people must follow the law
Separation of Powers – power is divided among the 3 branches
Checks and Balances – each branch checks on the others to make sure one doesn’t become too powerful
Federalism – power is shared between the federal and state governments
Expressed(implied) powers – powers left to the federal gov’t
Reserved powers – powers left to the states
Concurrent powers – powers shared by both

19. Amendment Process (2 ways)
_________________ _________________
_________________ vote by both houses
2. _________________ _________________
2/3 states _________________ request it
_________________ of states ratify it
Only _________________ Amendment done this way

20. Amendment Process (2 ways)
Congressional Action
2/3 vote by both houses
2. National Convention
2/3 states legislatures request it
¾ of states ratify it
Only 21st Amendment done this way