1. Basic Principles of our Government

2. Outline of the Constitution Using page 69 of your book, complete this chart:
Article I:
Article II:
Article III:
Article IV:
Article V:
Article VI:
Article VII:
Article VIII

3. Popular Sovereignty
This is the idea that all political power is in the hands of the people.
The government can govern, only with the consent of the people.
We see this in the Preamble. “We the People…”

4. Limited Government The government is not all powerful.
The government can ONLY do what the people have given it the power to do.
Rule of Law: the government and it’s officers are not above the law.
Our Constitution applies to everyone.

5. Separation of Powers
Executive, Legislative, and Judicial powers are separated by branches.
This is why we have Congress, the Courts, and the President created by the first three articles of the constitution.
Can you remember which article created which branch?

6. Checks and Balances
Our three branches are not entirely separated or completely independent of one another.
Each branch can be restrained by another branch.
Congress can make laws but the president can veto those laws.
Congress can override a presidential veto by 2/3rds majority vote.
Congress must approve the presidential appointments.
President can name all the federal judges.
This system makes compromise necessary.

7. Judicial Review
Judicial Review is part of our checks and balances system but it stands by itself as a basic principle.
This is the power of the courts to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action.
Constitutionality means it is supported in our constitution.
This power was firmly established in Marbury v. Madison in 1803.

8. Federalism
Federalism is the distribution of power between a central and national governments.
When creating the constitution, they wanted to build a strong national government but also reserve powers for the states.
Can you think of an example of Federalism?

9. Daily Grade Now you know about the 6 principles of our constitution.
Create an illustration for each principle to demonstrate it’s meaning.
Include a brief explanation of each principle.
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism