3. Seven Basic Principles ofSeven Basic Principles of
the Constitutionthe Constitution
Limited powers of governmentgovernment
Separation of powersSeparation of powers
Popular sovereigntyPopular sovereignty
Checks and balancesChecks and balances
Individual rightsIndividual rights
RepublicanismRepublicanism
FederalismFederalism
4. Since King George IIISince King George III
hadhad unlimitedunlimited power, thepower, the
writers of the U.S.writers of the U.S.
Constitution wanted “weConstitution wanted “we
the people” to putthe people” to put limits
on the government.
The Constitution outlinedThe Constitution outlined
exactly what theexactly what the
government could do.government could do.
5. Separation of powersSeparation of powers
divides the operationdivides the operation
of government intoof government into
three equal branches.three equal branches.
6. ““Sovereignty”Sovereignty” comescomes
from “sovereign” whichfrom “sovereign” which
means ruler.means ruler.
““Popular”Popular” means people.means people...
Popular sovereigntyPopular sovereignty ==
people choosepeople choose
7. Each branch ofEach branch of
the governmentthe government
checks and
balances, or, or
monitors, themonitors, the
power of thepower of the
other twoother two
branches.branches.
8. Individual rightsIndividual rights are the basicare the basic
liberties and rights that areliberties and rights that are
guaranteed in the first 10guaranteed in the first 10
amendments to the Constitution,amendments to the Constitution,
the Bill of Rights. Thesethe Bill of Rights. These
individual rights have beenindividual rights have been
extended through subsequentextended through subsequent
amendments to the Constitution.amendments to the Constitution.
ExamplesExamples
Freedom of speechFreedom of speech Freedom of pressFreedom of press
Freedom of religionFreedom of religion Right to a trial byRight to a trial by
juryjury
9. RepublicanismRepublicanism is a philosophy ofis a philosophy of
limited government in whichlimited government in which
elected representatives serve atelected representatives serve at
the will of the people.the will of the people.
ExamplesExamples
State legislaturesState legislatures CongressCongress
10. FederalismFederalism is the division andis the division and
sharing of powers between thesharing of powers between the
state and national government.state and national government.
National PowersNational Powers
•maintain armed forcesmaintain armed forces
•coin moneycoin money
•declare wardeclare war
•make foreign policymake foreign policy
State PowersState Powers
•provide for educationprovide for education
•conduct electionsconduct elections
•provide public safetyprovide public safety
•regulate trade inregulate trade in
statestate
11. Powers Shared by National andPowers Shared by National and
State GovernmentsState Governments
•raise taxesraise taxes
•administer criminal justiceadminister criminal justice
•provide for public welfareprovide for public welfare
•charter bankscharter banks
•borrow moneyborrow money
12. Rooted in theseRooted in these
seven principles,seven principles,
the U.S.the U.S.
Constitution hasConstitution has
endured sinceendured since
1787.1787.
This living documentThis living document protectsprotects thethe
rights of the individuals byrights of the individuals by limiting thelimiting the
powerpower of the government.of the government.
