7 Principles of the U.S Constitution

4.3: The 7 Principles of the Constitution

​Important: While taking notes, write the title of the slide and the underlined information.

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

Multiple Choice

What is popular sovereignty?

• The right to vote for representatives

• The idea that people have all of the power over the government

• Power is divided between the state and federal governments

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

Remember!

Sometimes, it's hard to tell the difference between republicanism and popular sovereignty. The main way to tell is to see if they are talking about voting specifically for representatives, it's talking about republicanism, and if it is talking about how the people have the power over the government, it's popular sovereignty

Multiple Choice

What is republicanism?

• A political ideology advocating for a government elected by the people.

• A form of government where decisions are made by a single leader.

• An ideology that promotes dictatorship
• A system where the monarch has absolute power.

Multiple Choice

What is one government position you do NOT vote for?

• Cabinet members (advisors to the President)

• House Representatives
• Senators
• Local Mayors, Governors, and City Council members

Multiple Choice

How can you differentiate between popular sovereignty and republicanism?

• Popular sovereignty says power belongs to the people, while republicanism supports monarchs

• Voting for representatives is closer to republicanism, power of the people is popular sovereignty

• Republicanism is a political party. Popular sovereignty is not.

• Both republicanism and popular sovereignty allow for absolute power of the ruler

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

Did You Know?

When the Constitution was first made, there wasn't a Bill of Rights! Most representatives who didn't support the Constitution were against it only because it didn't guarantee the protection of individual rights. So to make everyone happy, the authors of the Constitution added the Bill of Rights.

Match

Let's Review!

• Rights of people that are guaranteed by the Constitution in the Bill of Rights

• The idea that all power of government comes from the people

• The right to vote for representatives who will represent you in the government

Individual Rights

Popular Sovereignty

Republicanism

• Individual Rights

• Popular Sovereignty

• Republicanism

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

Match

Which government has what power?

• Declare war

• Levy taxes

• Provide for public safety

National

Both

State

• National

• Both

• State

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

Match

What does each branch do?

• Enforces laws

• Makes the laws

• Interprets laws

Executive

Legislative

Judicial

• Executive

• Legislative

• Judicial

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

Poll

Which person/group in government do you think has the most power?

• President

• Congress

• Supreme Court

Dropdown

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Select answer

divides government power into three branches. ​

Select answer

ensures each branch of government can regulate or control the other branches.

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

Match

Let's Review!

• 3 branches with different jobs to limit control of the government

• The people have all the power in government

• Power divided between national and state governments

• The right to vote for representatives to support you in a government

• Liberties guaranteed in the Bill of Rights

Separation of Powers

Popular Sovereignty

Federalism

Republicanism

Individual Rights

• Separation of Powers

• Popular Sovereignty

• Federalism

• Republicanism

• Individual Rights