Seven Principles of the Constitution

The power to govern comes from the people.

• Popular Sovereignty

• Checks and Balances

• Limited Government

• Federalism

The people elect representatives to make laws and conduct government.

• Federalism

• Separation of Powers

• Individual Rights

• Republicanism

Congress makes laws for the nation.

• Federalism

• Republicanism

• Separation of Powers

• Checks and Balances

The president and all other government officials must obey the laws like all American citizens.

• Popular Sovereignty

• Federalism

• Limited Government

• Checks and Balances

Voters in Virginia elected the first black governor to office in 1989.

• Federalism

• Checks and Balances

• Republicanism

• Individual Rights

The Supreme Court declares a law unconstitutional.

• Separation of Powers

• Checks and Balances

• Federalism

• Popular Sovereignty

Congress cannot make a law that violates freedom of speech.

• Individual Rights

• Federalism

• Popular Sovereignty

• Checks and Balances

The powers of the national government are distributed among three branches of government.

• Checks and Balances

• Separation of Powers

• Limited Government

• Federalism

The government cannot arrest a person unless that person has violated a law.

• Popular Sovereignty

• Individual Rights

• Federalism

• Republicanism

State and local governments supervise the public school system.

• Checks and Balances

• Republicanism

• Federalism

• Separation of Powers