2. The 6 Principles of the United States Constitution

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

4. 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

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

6. IV. Separation of Powers  No one holds “too much” power  Legislative branch makes the laws  Executive branch carries out the laws  Legislative branch interprets the laws

7. V. Checks and Balances  Each branch can check the other  States can check the federal government and vice versa

8. VI. Judicial Review  The Supreme Court can declare acts of Congress and state actions unconstitutional (Marbury v. Madison, 1803)

9. 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

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

11. 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”

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

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

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

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