1. The Principles of the United States Constitution

2. 6 goals of the Constitution
Form a more perfect union
Establish justice
Insure domestic tranquility
Provide for the common defense
Promote the general welfare
Secure the blessings of liberty

3. 6 goals of the Constitution in 8th grade language
To have a better government than the one proposed by the Articles of Confederation.
The government should make laws and start a court system that is fair to all.
The government should support peace within our country.
The government should protect us from our enemies.
The government should provide for the well-being of its citizens.
The government should protect peoples’ freedoms.

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

5. 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

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

7. Federalism

8. 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

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

16. The Bill of Rights
These are the first 10 amendments to the Constitutions that ensured individual freedoms were protected.
They can be broken down into 3 simple categories:
1. Protecting citizens (1-4)
2. Rights of the accused (5-8)
3. Rights of states and citizens (9 and 10)

17. Citizenship Gaining U.S. Citizenship:
Naturalized citizens of the United States may become full citizens.
1st they apply for citizenship. Then they go through a process that leads to citizenship being granted. At that point, they have most of the rights and responsibilities of other citizens.
Legal immigrants have many of those rights and responsibilities but cannot vote or hold public office.
The U.S. government can deport immigrants who break the law. Legal immigrants over age 18 may seek naturalization after living in the United State five years.
After completing the requirements, the person stands before a naturalization court and takes an oath of allegiance to the United States.
They then receive certificates of naturalization. Two differences between native-born and naturalized citizens are that naturalized citizens can lose their citizenships, and they cannot become president or vice president.

18. Duties of a Citizen Citizens have duties as well as rights.
Citizens must:
obey laws and authority.
Pay taxes for services, including public roads and public schools, and taxes on their income to the federal, and sometimes state, government.
Men 18 years or older must register with selective service in case of a draft.
Citizens must serve on juries to give others the right to a trial by jury.

19. Citizens and the Government
Voting in elections is one of a citizen’s most important responsibilities.
Before voting, a citizen must find out as much as possible about the issues and candidates. RESPONSIBLE VOTING!
A variety of media sources offer information, but some may be deliberately biased.
Anyone can help in a campaign, even people not eligible to vote. Many people help with donations to political action committees (PACs).
Many dedicated Americans also volunteer in community service groups, such as local firefighters or Neighborhood Watch groups that tell police if they see possible criminal activity in their area.
Simple acts such as picking up trash in a park or serving food at a food shelter help a community.