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Principles of the Constitution Notes

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15 views

Principles of the Constitution Notes

Uploaded by

ningc9810
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Principles of the Constitution

Learning Target: I can define the 7 principles and explain how they support a balance of
power in our government.

What is the US Constitution?


The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the United States.
● It gives specific powers to three branches of government and sets limits on those powers
● It also uses seven principles of government to protect people’s rights, hold the
government accountable, and keep the government from becoming a tyranny.

Preamble to the Constitution

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice,
insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and
secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this
Constitution for the United States of America."

In other words: The people of the United States, in order to form a better government,

establish justice, insure peace within the country, protect people, promote the well-being of

people, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our descendants, establish this

Constitution for the United States of America.

Article 1: The Legislative Branch


Article 1 sets up the legislative branch, also called Congress
Main job: to make laws
● House of Representatives with votes based on population
○ Elected by the people every two years
● Senate with two votes per state
○ Elected by the people every six years

Article 2: The Executive Branch


Article 2 sets up the executive branch, which is headed by the President
Main job: to enforce laws passed by Congress
● The President is elected by the people every four years
Article 3: The Judicial Branch
Article 3 sets up the judicial branch, which is made up of a system of federal courts headed by
the U.S. Supreme Court
Main job: to interpret laws to make sure they are constitutional
● The judicial branch is appointed by the President, confirmed by Congress, and serve for
life.

How to Amend the Constitution


● Changing the Constitution is a long and difficult process.
● The process is simple:
1. Congress proposes a constitutional amendment
2. Two-thirds of both houses of Congress approve the amendment
3. Three-fourths of the state legislatures approve the amendment
4. The amendment is added to the U.S. Constitution

● Our country’s constitution has been amended 27 times!

The Principles of the Constitution


● The rest of the Constitution deals with relations between states, how to amend or fix the
constitution, the supremacy of the national government, and how to ratify or approve the
constitution.
● The framers (writers) of the Constitution followed seven principles of government that
protect citizens’ rights, hold the government accountable to people, and keep the
government from getting too powerful.

Principle 1: Popular Sovereignty


The idea that people (governed) should be in charge of the government

● “WE THE PEOPLE”


● The Constitution puts people in charge of the government

● Example – People can run for office, campaign for individuals who run, or protest
decisions made by others.

Principle 2: Republicanism (nothing to do with the republican party)


People vote for people to represent their views
● People elect representative who then vote on their behalf
● We are too big of a country to make town meetings work. We need to vote for
representation.

● Example - Your parents vote for a Senator they agree with, then that Senator votes for a
tax bill your parents like.

Principle 3: Federalism
● Powers are shared by the state and national government (think teen/guardian
responsibilities activity)

● Example - The power to print money and raise an army are delegated to the national
government, while states reserve the power to set up school systems.

Principle 4: Separation of Powers


● Divides the roles of government into three branches: Legislative, Executive & Judicial
therefore one group of people do not control everything and become powerful.

● Example - The president does not have the power to pass laws.

Principle 5: Checks & Balances


● Each of the 3 branches of government has a little control, or check, on the other 2
branches to balance the power.

● Examples -
○ Federal judges are nominated by the President, but have to be approved by
Congress
○ Congress passes a law, but the President can veto (reject) the law
○ The President can veto a law, but Congress can override the veto if they have
enough votes
Principle 6: Limited Government
● The government only has certain powers listed in the Constitution and it can’t go beyond
those powers

● Example - Congress can’t pass a law making the President president for life because
they don’t have that power; that would require a constitutional amendment

Principle 7: Individual Rights


● Personal liberties and privileges that people are born with and cannot be taken away

● Examples - Freedom of speech, religion, press, right to bear arms, etc. All of which can
be found in the Bill of Rights.

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