The Principles of the United States Constitution

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

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

Rule of Law The law should govern a nation, not arbitrary decisions from individual gov’t officials Everyone (including government officials) are accountable to the law

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

IV. 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

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

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

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”

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

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

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

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

Three Types of Powers 1. Expressed Powers 2. Reserved Powers 3. Concurrent Powers

Expressed Powers Powers specifically granted to the National Government Also called enumerated powers Also called delegated powers

Reserved Powers Powers not given to the national government are kept by the states Amendment 10

Concurrent Powers Powers shared by both levels of government