The Principles of the United States Constitution

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The Principles of the United States
Constitution
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I. Popular Sovereignty

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

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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

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III. Federalism

• The division of pwr between State and National
  Governments
• Some pwrs are shared
• The National Gov has the supreme power

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IV. Separation of Powers

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

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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

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Executive Branch

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

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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

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V. Checks and Balances

• Prevents the abuse of power in government
• Ea branch can check ea other

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Executive Checks

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

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Legislative Checks

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

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Judicial Checks

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

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