Principles of the Constitution

What is federalism?

• The people vote for their leaders who then represent them.

• The people have individual rights.

• The state and national government share power.

What is "checks and balances?"

• Each branch of power has the ability to limit the power of the other branches.

• The people elect their leaders.

• The people have rights. (Bill of Rights)

This principle guarantees that citizens possess basic rights and liberties the government is to protect.

• Individual Rights

• Popular Sovereignty

• Bill of Rights

• Republicanism

This principle means that the power of government comes from the people.

• Individual Rights

• Popular Sovereignty

• Bill of Rights

• Republicanism

A form of government where voters choose representatives to exercise the power voters give to them, on their behalf.

• Individual Rights

• Popular Sovereignty

• Bill of Rights

• Republicanism

The government is not all-powerful, there are limits to what it can do! The Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land and ALL government officials are subject to the law.

• Limited Government

• Separation of Powers

• Checks and Balances

• Federalism

This principle of the U.S. Constitution divides the powers of the government into three separate groups to ensure no one becomes too powerful.

• Limited Government

• Separation of Powers

• Checks and Balances

• Federalism

The preamble to the U.S. Constitution introduces one of the basic principles of government in the United States. An excerpt from the preamble to the U.S. Constitution is shown.

"We the People of the United States . . . do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

​Which basic principle of government is introduced in the Preamble?

• federalism

• limited government

• popular sovereignty

• checks and balances

How many principles does the U.S. Constitution contain?

• 4

• 2

• 5

• 7

What are the 3 separate, but equal, branches of government known as? (SELECT THREE ANSWER CHOICES)

• Executive Branch

• Legislative Branch

• Congressional Branch

• Judicial Branch