The Principles of the United States Constitution

1
The Principles of the United States
Constitution
2
Characteristics of American Democracy

• Popular consent
• Popular sovereignty
• Limited Government
• Federalism
• Separation of Power
• Checks and Balances
• Rule of Law
• Civil society

3
I. Popular Sovereignty

• The people hold the ultimate authority
• A representative democracy lets the people elect
  leaders to make decisions for them.
• We the people

4
II. Limited Government

• Framers wanted to guard against tyranny
• Government is limited to the power given them in
  the Constitution.
• The Constitution tells how leaders who overstep
  their power can be removed

5
III. Federalism

• The division of power between State and National
  Governments
• Some powers are shared
• The National Government has the supreme power

6
IV. Separation of Powers

• No one holds too much power
• Legislative branch makes the laws
• Executive branch carries out the laws
• Judicial branch interprets the laws

7
Legislative Branch

• Senate and House of Representatives
• Make our laws
• Appropriate Money
• Regulate Immigration
• Establish Post Offices and Roads
• Regulate Interstate Commerce and Transportation
• Declare War
• Necessary and Proper

8
Executive Branch

• The President of the United States
• Chief Executive
• Chief of State
• Chief Legislator
• Commander in Chief

9
Judicial Branch

• Supreme Court and other Federal Courts
• Preserve and protect the rights guaranteed by the
  Constitution
• Considers cases involving national laws
• Declares laws and acts unconstitutional

10
V. Checks and Balances

• Prevents the abuse of power in government
• Each branch can check each other branch

11
Executive Checks

• Propose laws to Congress
• Veto laws made by Congress
• Negotiate foreign treaties
• Appoint federal judges
• Grant pardons to federal offenders

12
Legislative Checks

• Override presidents veto
• Ratify treaties
• Confirm executive appointments
• Impeach federal officers and judges
• Create and dissolve lower federal courts

13
Judicial Checks

• Declare executive acts unconstitutional
• Declare laws unconstitutional
• Declare acts of Congress unconstitutional
• The Supreme Court holds the final check

14
Rule of Law

• No person is above the law
• The Constitution is the basis
• for all laws