Constitutional Principles

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• form a more perfect union

• establish justice

• ensure domestic tranquility

• provide for the common defense

• promote the general welfare

• secure the blessings of liberty

This is the idea that the people are the source of the government's power.

Government has the power to do only those things that WE THE PEOPLE have given it power to do. The Constitution spells out the powers held by the government.

Power in our national government is divided into 3 branches; legislative, executive, and judicial. Each branch has its own powers and responsibilities, as well as specific limits.

Each branch of government has ways to keep each of the other 2 branches from abusing their power. This is also the way we make sure no branch has more power than the other 2.

Federalism simply means that the powers of government are divided between national and state levels. Another way to think of this is layers of government. (national, state, local)

This means the US Constitution is supreme to all other laws in the US and that EVERY PERSON in the US is subject to it.

• Article I is about the legislative branch, Congress.

• Article II is about the executive branch, including the president.

• Article III is about the judicial branch, the Supreme Court.