The document outlines several principles of the United States Constitution including popular sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and balances, limited government, judicial review, and federalism. It provides definitions and examples for each principle. Popular sovereignty refers to ultimate power residing in the people, as seen through elections. Checks and balances means each branch has certain powers over the others to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful, such as the President's power to veto bills.

1. Notes:
• Principles of the United States Constitution
• Separation of Powers
• Federalism
• Checks and Balances
• Amending the Constitution

2. Principles of the United States
Constitution, Notes

3. Principle Definition Example
Popular Sovereignty A belief that ultimate power and
authority resides in the people.
During elections, citizens vote for their
leaders.

4. Principle Definition Example
Popular Sovereignty A belief that ultimate power and
authority resides in the people.
During elections, citizens vote for their
leaders.
Checks and Balances The idea that each branch has certain
powers over each other, to ensure no
branch becomes too powerful
The President can veto a bill

5. Principle Definition Example
Popular Sovereignty A belief that ultimate power and
authority resides in the people.
During elections, citizens vote for their
leaders.
Checks and Balances The idea that each branch has certain
powers over each other, to ensure no
branch becomes too powerful
The President can veto a bill
Limited Government A system in which the power of the
government is not absolute and cannot
take away individual freedoms
Amendment 22 limits presidential
terms; Bill of Rights ensures freedoms

6. Principle Definition Example
Popular Sovereignty A belief that ultimate power and
authority resides in the people.
During elections, citizens vote for their
leaders.
Checks and Balances The idea that each branch has certain
powers over each other, to ensure no
branch becomes too powerful
The President can veto a bill
Limited Government A system in which the power of the
government is not absolute and cannot
take away individual freedoms
Amendment 22 limits presidential
terms; Bill of Rights ensures freedoms
Judicial Review Courts have the power to declare laws
and actions of Congress or President
unconstitutional
Supreme Court may rule a law to be
Unconstitutional

7. Principle Definition Example
Popular Sovereignty A belief that ultimate power and
authority resides in the people.
During elections, citizens vote for their
leaders.
Checks and Balances The idea that each branch has certain
powers over each other, to ensure no
branch becomes too powerful
The President can veto a bill
Limited Government A system in which the power of the
government is not absolute and cannot
take away individual freedoms
Amendment 22 limits presidential
terms; Bill of Rights ensures freedoms
Judicial Review Courts have the power to declare laws
and actions of Congress or President
unconstitutional
Supreme Court may rule a law to be
Unconstitutional
Federalism In this governmental system, power is
divided between state and national
government
National government may declare war;
state governments set up school system

8. Principle Definition Example
Popular Sovereignty A belief that ultimate power and
authority resides in the people.
During elections, citizens vote for their
leaders.
Checks and Balances The idea that each branch has certain
powers over each other, to ensure no
branch becomes too powerful
The President can veto a bill
Limited Government A system in which the power of the
government is not absolute and cannot
take away individual freedoms
Amendment 22 limits presidential
terms; Bill of Rights ensures freedoms
Judicial Review Courts have the power to declare laws
and actions of Congress or President
unconstitutional
Supreme Court may rule a law to be
Unconstitutional
Federalism In this governmental system, power is
divided between state and national
government
National government may declare war;
state governments set up school system
Separation of Powers The idea of having three branches of
government, each with its own
functions
The legislative branch makes laws;
executive branch enforces laws;
Judicial branch interprets laws

9. Using the information from the front,
complete the back page matching
• For each answer, give an explanation as to
why it is the correct answer.

10. Back page matching, Key

11. Separation of Powers, notes
Legislative
Branch
Executive
Branch
Judicial
Branch
Makes
laws
Enforces
laws
Interprets
laws

12. Federalism, notes
Federal
Government
State
Government
Shared Powers
What are the powers
given only to the Federal
Government called?
Delegated
Powers
What are the powers
given only to the State
Government called?
Reserved
Powers
What are the powers
given to the Federal &
State
Governments called?
Concurrent
Powers
Examples:
•Propose amendments
•Declare war
Examples :
•Death penalty
•Bike Helmets
•Licensing
Examples:
•Tax
•Speed limits

13. Checks and Balances, notes
Executive
Branch
Legislative
Branch
Judicial
Branch
Nominate officials to office
Veto
Impeach
Override veto by 2/3 vote of both houses
Senate – Confirm Presidential Appointments

14. The Constitution and the
Amendment Process

15. Steps in Amending the Constitution
• What is an Amendment? A change or addition
to the Constitution
• What are the two steps to amend the
Constitution?
• Proposal and Ratification

16. Methods of Proposal
Method 1
By 2/3 vote in
both the House
and the Senate
[most common method of
proposing an amendment]

17. Methods of Proposal
Method 2
By national
constitutional
convention called by
Congress at the
request of 2/3 of the
state legislatures
[This method has never been used]
Method 1
By 2/3 vote in
both the House
and the Senate
[most common method of
proposing an amendment]
Or

18. Methods of Ratification

19. Methods of Ratification
Method 1
By legislatures in
¾ of the states
[in all but one case, this is how
amendments have been ratified]

20. Methods of Ratification
Method 2
Ratified through
conventions in ¾ of
the states.
[Only been used once to ratify the
21st Amendment]
Method 1
By legislatures in
¾ of the states
[in all but one case, this is how
amendments have been ratified]
Or

21. Amendment Process
Methods of Proposal
Method 1
By 2/3 vote in both
the House and the
Senate
Or
Method 2
By national constitutional
convention called by
Congress at the request of
2/3 of the state legislatures
Methods of Ratification
Method 1
By legislatures in ¾ of
the states
Or
Method 2
Ratified through
conventions in ¾ of the
states.

22. Complete the Equal Rights
Amendment page on back of
Amendment process notes