7 Principles of the U.S Constitution

This principle of the Constitution states that all power of the government comes from the American people, and that the government is here to serve the people, not the other way around.

Popular Sovereignty

Much like popular sovereignty, republicanism gives all the power to the people. The idea of the republicanism is that the people get to vote for the person they want to represent them in the government.

Republicanism

Turn & Talk

Which one is more important to you: popular sovereignty, or republicanism? Why?

The idea that government is instituted for the protection of individual rights is one of the most important things that the Constitution states. The Bill of Rights is the part of the Constitution that lists the rights shown in the photo -->

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Individual Rights

The idea that government power should be divided by the national and state governments to keep one or the other from becoming too powerful.

The Venn Diagram to the right shows which powers are shared, and which ones are specific to each government

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Federalism

Separation of powers helps regulate how much control one person or one group of people has in the government.
For example, the President doesn't get to make the laws, and Congress can't just enforce the laws that they make. Having 3 separate branches keeps the power limited, so no one can get complete control of the country.

legislative- makes laws

executive- enforces laws

judicial- interprets laws

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Separation of Powers

Checks and balances ensure the 3 branches of government control/ regulate the other branches by making any law or order have to pass through multiple branches before being put into affect.

For example, the legislative branch can pass a law, but the president has the power to veto that law. But, the legislature can override that veto with 2/3 approval. Even if it gets to that point, the Supreme Court can rule the law unconstitutional, and it won't go into affect.

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Checks & Balances

All of principles 1-6 add up to this one, limited government. Having the other principles like republicanism, separation of powers, and individual rights restrict the power of the government, to prevent the United States from becoming a dictatorship or any tyrannical government.

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​Limited Government