7 Basic Principles of the Constitution

The government only has the power that is granted to it by the Constitution.

• Limited Government

• Republicanism

• Federalism

The people of the country elect leaders to represent their interest in the government.

• Checks and Balances

• Republicanism

• Individual Rights

All people have rights that are protected by the government.

• Separation of Powers

• Checks and Balances

• Individual Rights

The people determine what happens in the government and give the government its power.

• Republicanism

• Popular Sovereignty

• Federalism

Each branch of government has the power to check or limit the powers of the other branches

• Checks and Balances

• Separation of Powers

• Popular Sovereignty

The power of government is shared and divided between the national government and the states’ governments.

• Separation of Power

• Republicanism

• Federalism

The power of the government is divided among 3 branches with no one branch having complete control.

• Separation of Powers

• Federalism

• Individual Rights