1. The Seven Principles of Government The Constitution is built upon seven basic principles of government. The Framers of the Constitution used these principles to create the “supreme law” of our land.

2. Who were the framers?
The framers were the builders of our Constitution
These men debated for the interests of their states,
the people, and the nation..
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3. Basic Principles

4. Rule Popular Sovereignty A sovereign king does what?
Definiton:
What does popular refer to?
Population, or people.
A sovereign king does what?
Rule
So together, Popular Sovereignty means?
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5. People Rule
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6. Popular Sovereignty (people rule)
The Preamble to the Constitution begins with this bold phrase,
“We the People...” These words announce that in the United States, the people establish government and give it its power.
The people are sovereign. Since the government receives it power from the people, it can govern only with their consent.
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7. Example: So how do we rule?
Voting!
The people’s power comes
in the form of democracy.
We have the right to push into a touch screen
our choices for our government!
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8. Limited Government
Because the people are the source of government power, the government has only as much authority as the people give it.
Government
Authority
People
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9. Our rights and freedoms protect us from Government rule.
More…Limited Gov’t.
Much of the Constitution, in fact, consists of specific limitation on government power.
Freedom of Speech
Bill of Rights
Freedom of Press
Freedom of Petition
Freedom of Religion
Freedom of Assembly
Counsel, Fair Trial
Privacy
No Cruel/Unusual
Punishment
Bill of Rights
(Amendments 1-10)
Our rights and freedoms protect us from Government rule.
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10. More…Limited Government
No one
is Above
the Law, or
Constitution
Limited government means that neither the government nor any government official is “above the law” and can overstep these constitutional bounds. GW
We the People
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11. Separation of Powers
Government power is not only limited: it is also divided.
Government
Power
Limited Power
Limited Power
Limited Power
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12. Separation of Powers
The Constitution assigns specific powers to each of the three branches: Legislative (Congress), Executive (President) and Judicial (Supreme Court).
(President)
(Congress)
(Supreme Court)
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13. Checks and Balances
The system of check and balances extends the restrictions established by the separation of powers.
Each branch of government has the built-in authority and responsibility to restrain the power of the other two branches. This system makes government less efficient, but also prevents tyranny by one branch. (p58)
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14. Basic Principles

15. Judicial Review
Before Marbury v. Madison.(1803), all big profile cases were to be heard in Congressional Federal Courts. (Judiciary Act of 1789)
Who decides whether an act of government oversteps the limits placed on it by the Constitution?
Historically, the judges in the federal courts have made the decisions. The principle of judicial review was established early in the history of the nation.
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16. Where do two high ranking officials face -off in court?
Marbury v Madison
In 1800 Thomas Jefferson wins the presidency. Defeats John Adams.
Before Jefferson actually begins his term, (March 4, 1801),William Marbury wants the position of Justice of the Peace in Washington DC
He was approved by the Senate, and (soon-to-be-leaving office), John Adams signs the appointment to JP.
Jefferson tells Secretary of State James Madison, “No way, new sheriff in town. Window is closed.”
Marbury sues Madison for not delivering his appointment to office.
Where do two
high ranking
officials face -off
in court?
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17. Judicial Review Declared
Chief Justice John Marshall declares the Supreme Court’s
power to review government acts,
including cases with government officials, states, treaties..
Judicial Review is born.
It means that federal courts have the power to review
government acts and to nullify,
or cancel, any that are unconstitutional,
or violate the provision of the Constitution.
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18. State and Local Governments
Federalism
A federal system divides power between a central government and smaller, local governments.
This sharing of power is intended to ensure that the central government is powerful enough to be effective, yet not so powerful as to threaten States or citizens.
It also allows individual States to deal with local problems at the local level—so long as their actions are constitutional.
Federal Government
State and Local Governments
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19. Representative Democracy
***Not listed in your text***
In outlining our government
“ of the people and by the people,” the Constitution connects the citizenry of the United States to our government positions by way of elections.
This election process confirms the principle of popular sovereignty by allowing the people of America to choose their leaders.
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20. A Pictorial Review Example: People rule…
Observe the images that follow, then make a guess as to which basic principle they depict.
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