Lesson 2: Principles of the Constitution

1. What are the principles or foundation of the Constitution?

2. What are examples of these principles?

Popular Sovereignty

What does this Principle Mean?

• “We the people”…the government gets its power from the people

• The Constitution is a contract between people and the government

• Representative government: the people elect officials to make laws and decisions in the government

An Example of this Principle is…

• Elect public officials by voting in elections

Limited Government

What does this principle mean?

• -The government only has the powers that the people grant it• -Constitution states what the powers of the national

government are• -Bill of Rights prevents the government from taking away

individual freedoms

An example of this principle is..

• -President must obey the laws or he can be impeached• -Freedom of speech is protected by the 1st Amendment

Individual RightsWhat does this principle mean?

• Bill of Rights prevents the government from taking away individual freedoms

An example of this principle is..

• -Freedom of speech is protected by the 1st Amendment

Federalism

What does this principle mean?

• -Power is divided between the national government and state government

• -National government deals with issues that impact the entire nation

• -States have power to deal with local issues

• -Concurrent Powers-powers they share

An example of this principle is..

• -National government can… declare war, make treaties with foreign nations

• -State government can...establish schools, make laws about marriage, provide for public safety (police)

• -Concurrent Power-taxes

Separation of Powers

What does this principle mean?

• -To prevent one person or group from abusing their power the government is divided into three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial

• -Each branch has its own powers and responsibilities

An example of this principle is..

• -Legislative Branch: makes laws• -Executive Branch: enforces laws• -Judicial Branch: interprets and explains the laws

Checks and Balances

What does this principle mean?

-To prevent one branch from gaining too much power each branch can check or control the other two branches

An example of this principle is..

• -Legislative branch passes a bill or proposed law• …but the President can veto the bill• …or the Supreme Court can rule that the law is

unconstitutional

• Directions: Read the following 8 situations. Decide which Constitutional Principle is being described. IN some situations more than one principle may apply!

1. Freedom of the press is guaranteed in the First Amendment.

2. Only the national government has the power to print and coin money.

3. The Legislative Branch can impeach the President (Executive Branch)

All citizens are eligible to vote in elections at the age of 18.

5. The President is elected every four years and can serve two terms or 10

years.

6. The Executive Branch negotiates treaties with foreign countries.

7. When you receive your first paycheck you will pay income taxes to the

state of Illinois and the national government.

8. Neither a state nor the national government may prevent people from

expressing their opinions.