Principles of the Constitution

The idea that the law applies to everyone

• rule of law
• limited government
• reserved powers
• supremacy clause

The principle of the people exercising their power by selecting leaders to represent them in fair and impartial elections

• republicanism

• federalism

• popular sovereignty

• limited government

a written plan for government outlining the structure and power of the government

• constitution

• bill of rights

• preamble

• checks and balances

the first 10 amendments to the US Constitution

• Bill of Rights

• Preamble

• checks and balances

• consent of the governed

The division of the government into three branches

• separation of powers
• limited government
• checks and balances
• concurrent powers

The people's right to rule

• popular sovereignty
• rule of law
• limited government
• separation of powers

The ways that each branch of government limits the power of the other two branches

• checks and balances
• limited government
• supremacy clause
• rule of law

The idea that the government can only do what the people allow it to do

• rule of law
• limited government
• checks and balances
• supremacy clause

the power to rule absolutely within a territory

• sovereignty

• popular sovereignty

• consent of the governed

• social contract

the people agree to be ruled by a government

• consent of the governed

• social contract

• limited government

• separation of powers