6 Basic Principles of the Constitution

Mental Floss 2/8/2016 Objective: Identify the 6 principles in the Constitution Vocab: –Popular Sovereignty –Limited Government –Checks and Balances –Separation of Powers –Federalism –Judicial Review Mental Floss: 1.How many states were needed to ratify the Constitution? 2.What does ratify mean?

Answers 1.How many states were needed to ratify the Constitution? 9 2.What does ratify mean? Approve

For the good of the Group Quiz tomorrow –1.7 – Anti-federalists and Federalists + Bill of Rights –1.8 – Ratification –1.9 – 6 Principles (we will learn these today, so it will be matching on your quiz) Housekeeping –Reflection #17 – Quiz #21

Tracking for Success

11 th Pillar Sheets 3 rd and 4 th

Preamble of the Constitution We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. School House Rocks

1. Popular Sovereignty All Power is held by the People The power to govern is given through the Constitution Amendments protecting sovereignty: –15 th – African Americans –17 th – Senators elected directly –19 th – Women –24 th – Outlawed poll tax –26 th – Voting age lowered to 18

2. Limited Government Government can only do what the people give it the power to do Rule of Law- Those who govern must also obey the law

Federalist Paper No. 51 If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.

3. Checks and Balances Each Branch is checked by the other branches Ensures one branch does not have all the power

4. Separation of Powers Legislative Branch – make the laws –Represents a district or state –Serves 2 or 6 years Executive Branch – enforces the laws –Represents the whole country –Serves 4 years Judicial Branch – interprets the laws –Represents the Constitution –Serves for life

“Council of the Mohawk shall be divided into three parties. The third parties is only to listen to the discussion of the first and second parties and if an error is made or the proceeding is irregular, they are to call attention to it, and when the case is right and properly decided by the two parties they shall confirm the decision of the two parties and refer the case to the Seneca lords to their decision.” -The Constitution of the Iroquois Nations

5. Federalism Some powers are delegated to the national gov’t and some are reserved for the states States have their own laws, courts, constitutions, and elected officials

6. Judicial Review Power of the court to determine the constitutionality of a government Supremacy Clause – US Constitution is the supreme law of the land

Six Principles Cartoons Complete the political cartoons worksheet. There are 6. Make sure you visit each station. When you are finished…Complete Country X

Country X Complete the Country X sheet front and back!