big ideas to the constitution

“This Constitution and the laws of the United States ... shall be the supreme law of the land.” All government officials “shall be bound by an oath to support this constitution.”

U.S. Constitution, Article VI

• Self– Government: popular or representative system where the people create and run their own government

• Rule of Law: the idea that all people must follow the laws, and that the laws are enforced fairly

• Due Process: People have the right to fair and reasonable laws. Officials have to follow rules when enforcing the laws and treat all people in the same way.

• Rights: A set of things that people believe they should be free to do without restrictions

• Limited Government: the power of government is limited by the Constitution, and each branch is limited in what it can do

The first ten amendments in the Bill of Rights guarantee certain rights and freedoms that include:

Freedom of speech, the press, and religion

Right to petition the government and to bear arms Prohibition of excessive bail or fines, or cruel and unusual punishments for crimes

• Self– Government: popular or representative system where the people create and run their own government

• Rule of Law: the idea that all people must follow the laws, and that the laws are enforced fairly

• Due Process: People have the right to fair and reasonable laws. Officials have to follow rules when enforcing the laws and treat all people in the same way.

• Rights: A set of things that people believe they should be free to do without restrictions

• Limited Government: the power of government is limited by the Constitution, and each branch is limited in what it can do

The U.S. Constitution created three branches of government. Each branch is given the power to check, or limit the power of the other two. The system of checks and balances keeps any one branch from getting too powerful.

• Self– Government: popular or representative system where the people create and run their own government

• Rule of Law: the idea that all people must follow the laws, and that the laws are enforced fairly

• Due Process: People have the right to fair and reasonable laws. Officials have to follow rules when enforcing the laws and treat all people in the same way.

• Rights: A set of things that people believe they should be free to do without restrictions

• Limited Government: the power of government is limited by the Constitution, and each branch is limited in what it can do

No person shall...be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law”

U.S. Constitution, 5th Amendment

• Self– Government: popular or representative system where the people create and run their own government

• Rule of Law: the idea that all people must follow the laws, and that the laws are enforced fairly

• Due Process: People have the right to fair and reasonable laws. Officials have to follow rules when enforcing the laws and treat all people in the same way.

• Rights: A set of things that people believe they should be free to do without restrictions

• Limited Government: the power of government is limited by the Constitution, and each branch is limited in what it can do

“WE THE PEOPLE of the United States...do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Preamble to the Constitution, 1787

• Self– Government: popular or representative system where the people create and run their own government

• Rule of Law: the idea that all people must follow the laws, and that the laws are enforced fairly

• Due Process: People have the right to fair and reasonable laws. Officials have to follow rules when enforcing the laws and treat all people in the same way.

• Rights: A set of things that people believe they should be free to do without restrictions

• Limited Government: the power of government is limited by the Constitution, and each branch is limited in what it can do