Principles of the Constitution

​Principles of the Constitution

​We are learning about the major constitutional principles in American Government

​I can identify and describe the major principles of the constitution

Open Ended

Do you believe there are any activities that government should NEVER take part in?

1. Lays out the structure of the Government

2. Demonstrates the principles by which the government will be run

3. Explains the process by which the government will work

​Purpose of the Constitution -

​Structure of the Constitution -

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​I. Preamble - Articulates the purpose of the government

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II. ​Articles - Lays out the structure and functions of specific government branches (The three major branches

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III. ​Amendments - Bill of Rights makes up the first 10 amendments and all constitutional changes after are included in the amendments

​Three Branches of government and powers

Multiple Choice

Purposes of the Constitution

• Create Structure for the governmenr

• Explain the Processes for the government

• Illustrate principles of the government

• All of the above

Multiple Choice

First ten amendments to constitution, which articulates the individual rights and liberties of all Americans that are protected:

• Preamble

• Articles

• Bill of Rights

Multiple Choice

First part of the constitution, which lays out the purpose of government

• Preamble

• Articles

• Bill of Rights

Multiple Choice

This part of the Constitution outlines the structures and functions of each branch of government

• Preamble

• Articles

• Bill of Rights

Multiple Choice

Not a branch of government

• executive

• judicial

• Bureaucratic

• Legislative

​The Six big Principles

Popular Sovereignty -

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​Ultimate power rests with the people

​Separation of Powers -

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​Three Branches = power is separated into multiples places, so that no one branch can get too much power

​Checks and Balances -

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Within in the separation of powers, each branch is ​able to check the other and their powers

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Example - ​supreme court has power of judicial review to determine whether or not a law or executive order is constitutional

Open Ended

The impeachment process is considered one of the major checks on the power of presidents and presidential appointments. As shown, it is a lengthy process that takes a great deal of work and time. Why do you think it is set up that way? Do you agree with the process, why or why not?

​Judicial Review -

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Power of Supreme Court ​to determine whether or not laws or actions are constitutional

​Federalism -

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Division of power​ among states and the federal government

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​States have certain powers while the federal government has others

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​State and Federal government also share responsibility with some powers - **Not the same as separation of powers

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​Limited Government -

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​Constitution states what the government can do, limiting its ultimate powers and protecting individual rights

Multiple Choice

There are three branches of government, each with different powers. This idea is called:

• Division of State

• Divided Authority

• Separate but Equal

• Separation of Powers

Multiple Choice

The idea that there are certain things that the government is NOT ALLOWED to do:

• Limited Government

• Checks and Balances

• Democracy

• Federalism

Multiple Choice

The Federal Government shares power with the states, and allows them to make their own laws. This is called:

• Communism

• Democracy

• Federalism

• Rule of Law

Multiple Choice

Under our system of Checks and Balances, what is being balanced?

• The money in the Central Bank

• The powers of the three branches

• Freedom and Control

• The Force

Multiple Choice

The belief that people can and should govern themselves. The government gets its power from the people. ​

• Republicanism

• Popular Sovereignty

• Limited Government

• Federalism

Multiple Choice

Each branch of the federal (national) government has the ability to limit, or control, the powers of the other two branches​.

• Limited Government

• Checks and Balances

• Popular Sovereignty

• Federalism

Multiple Choice

Federal courts have the power to nullify unconstitutional acts

• Judicial Review
• Popular Sovereignty
• Checks and balances
• Republicanism