Principles and the Preamble Summer Academy MR. m. wASHINGTON

The Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation were weak and was replaced with the Constitution because the federal government was not strong.

Terms TERMS A writ of habeas corpus safeguard individual freedoms by allowing the accused to request a trial by jury. Popular Sovereignty means that government is created by the people and for the people. Government is not above the law. This is an example of limited government.

The Preamble The preamble of the Constitution introduce and explain the core ideas of the new government. Read the preamble to 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 defence, 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. According to the preamble, the power comes from the people. To “establish justice, insure domestic Tranquility” means to create a system of laws for internal peace. “We the people” establish the idea of popular sovereignty.

Preamble cont. . . [I]nsure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare. This let us know the government is responsible for protecting and supporting its citizens. . . . [A]nd secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity. According to this excerpt freedoms and rights were established for framers of the Constitution and future generations.

Branches of Government/Balances of Power Branches of Government/Balance of Powers The judicial branch of government has the power to interpret laws and apply the Constitution to the law. The executive branch of the federal government enforce laws. The legislative branch is able to create laws and to regulate taxes and commerce.

The Constitution The Preamble to the Constitution introduce core ideas of the new government. The Constitution regulates government powers by providing guides and limits to the government’s power. The Constitution made the federal government stronger in dealing with other countries because they could now maintain a military. Under the Constitution, political rights protect the freedoms of every American citizen. The right of freedom of religion supports a person’s right to practice any religion they choose.

Checks and Balances The federal government share with state governments the power of collecting taxes. To stop the government from being controlled by one branch, the Constitution creates a separation of powers.   An example of checks and balances is when the Supreme Court declares a law that was created by Congress unconstitutional. If the president vetoes a bill proposed to become law by Congress, he is limiting the power of the legislative branch.