1. The 6 Principles of GOVT
GOVT Notes 2-1

2. 1) Popular Sovereignty Definition: People Rule the Government
Preamble – “We the People…”
Democracy (Republic)
Constitution can be changed (Amendments)
Directly elect members of House of Representatives
Amendments that increase who can vote/participate in GOVT
15th –
17th –
19th –
24th –
26th –
Blacks can vote
People elect Senators
Women can vote
No Poll Tax
18 year olds can vote

3. 2) Federalism
Define: Authority divided between National/Federal GOVT and the States GOVT
Reserved Powers belong to the States (10th Amendment)
Delegated Powers belong to the National GOVT
Who has the majority of Power today?

4. 3) Separation of Powers Legislative Executive Judicial CONGRESS
Baron de Montesquieu wrote about importance of separating powers
3 Branches make up the Federal GOVT
It’s the L.E.J. the GOVT stands on
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
CONGRESS
PRESIDENT
SUPREME COURT
Article #1
Article #2
Article #3
MAKES LAWS
ENFORCES LAWS
INTERPRETS LAWS

5. 4) Checks and Balances Legislative Branch Executive Branch
3 branches of GOVT police each other, so that no branch becomes too powerful
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
Courts can declare laws unconstitutional
President can Veto laws
Congress can remove judges
Congress can override a Veto
President can appoint judges
Judges cannot be removed by President

6. 5) Judicial Review
Define: Power of the Supreme Court to declare [something]… Unconstitutional
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
This case sets up Judicial Review
MUST KNOW IT
The Constitution is…
“the Supreme Law of the Land”
Article 6 (VI)

7. 6) Limited GOVT or Civilian Control
President = Commander-in-Chief
Power to declare war belongs only to… CONGRESS
Congress funds the U.S. Military
No Quartering Soldiers
(3rd Amendment)
John Locke and Montesquieu wrote about Limited GOVT
→ President can send troops anywhere w/o Congress for 60 days
→ Congress can tell President to bring troops back after 60 days
∙ Congress also funds protection for ambassadors

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