Principles of the United States Constitution Objective Analyze

Principles of the United States Constitution

Objective Analyze how the U. S. Constitution reflects the principles of limited government, republicanism, checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, popular sovereignty and individual rights

Principles of Limited Government Restriction on the power of the government Constitution spells out the powers of each branch of government Congress makes the laws President executes those laws Judiciary interprets those laws Constitution identifies the powers denied to Congress and to the States

Principles of Limited Government Continued The Constitution states that powers not granted to the national government are kept by the states or the people

Republicanism Definition of Republicanism is a form of government in which people elect representatives to make and carry out laws The Constitution states that citizens elect members of Congress The Constitution guarantees each state a republican form of government

Checks and Balances Definition of Checks and Balances is a system of controls on the power of government in which each branch of government checks the power of the other branches

Congress and pass laws, but the President can refuse to approve them The President can make treaties and appoint Supreme Court judges but the Senate must approve these treaties and appointments The Supreme Court can rule on cases involving the Constitution, national laws, treaties, and states’ conflicts. The Supreme Court can decide that an act of Congress or the President is unconstitutional. Congress can impeach and remove the President and federal judges

Federalism Definition of Federalism is a system of government in which the state and national government share power The Constitution spells out the powers of the national government and states that national law is the supreme law of the country. The Constitution states that powers not delegated to the national government belong to the states or the people

Federalism Continued The Constitution identifies the power denied the Congress and the states The Constitution declares that states must honor one another’s laws, records and court rulings The Constitution requires the approval of the states for Constitutional amendments

Separation of Powers The division of basic government roles into different branches with no one branch having all the power The first three articles of the Constitution state how powers are split among the three branches of government Congress makes the laws, and the President enforces them and the judiciary interprets them The President is the commander of the armed forces, but only Congress can declare war

Popular Sovereignty The government gets its authority from the people and reflects their will The preamble begins “We the people of the United States … do ordain and establish this Constitution…”, which indicates that the government’s authority comes from the people.

Popular Sovereignty Continued The Constitution states that the people will elect representatives. All citizens 18 years and older are allowed to vote The Constitution declares that the people or the states keep any powers not delegated to the national government The Constitution guarantees all citizens the same rights and equal protection of the laws

Individual Rights Liberties and privileges guaranteed to each citizen The Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of religion, speech, the press, and assembly as well as right to petition the government and the right to equal protection under the law. Later amendments abolish slavery and extend voting and other individual rights to all citizens 18 years and older

Review Question # 1 An example of checks and balances in the U. S. Constitution is the provision that (A) The President can refuse to approve laws passed by Congress (B) The Senate must approve Supreme Court appointments made by the President (C) The Supreme Court can declare a law unconstitutional (D) All of the above

Correct Answer (D) All of the above

Review Question # 2 Which of the following is the best example of the principle of limited government in the U. S. Constitution (A) All people are granted freedom of religion (B) The Constitution identifies powers denied to Congress and to the states (C) Congress has the power to make laws (D) Citizens elect representatives to Congress

Correct Answer (B) The Constitution identifies powers denied to Congress and to the states

Review Question # 3 How does the U. S. Constitution reflect the principle of republicanism (A) The President has the power to veto laws passed by Congress (B) The state or the people keep any powers not delegated to the federal government (C) The Supreme Court can declare a law unconstitutional (D) Citizens elect representatives to Congress

Correct Answer (D) Citizens elect representatives to Congress

Review Question # 4 Which of the following provisions of the U. S. Constitution provides a check on the power of the President (A) The President can make treaties (B) Each state is guaranteed a republican form of government (C ) Congress can impeach a President (D) The President can refuse to approve laws passed by Congress

Correct Answer ( C ) Congress can impeach a President

Review Question # 5 The principle of checks and balances is most strongly related to the principle of (A) Limited Government (B) Popular Sovereignty (C) Republicanism (D) Individual Rights

Correct Answer (A) Limited Government

Review Question # 6 The U. S. Constitution states that the people elect representatives to Congress. Which of the following principles does this provision reflect (A) Federalism (B) Popular Sovereignty (C) Separation of Powers (D) Checks and Balances

Correct Answer (B) Popular Sovereignty

Review Question # 7 The U. S. Constitution reflects the Principle of Federalism by stating that (A) Powers not delegated to the national government belong to the states or the people (B) The government is divided into three branches (C) All citizens have the right to equal protection of the law (D) All citizens 18 years and older can vote

Correct Answer (A) Powers not delegated to the national government belong to the states or the people

Review Question # 8 Which part of the U. S. Constitution deals primarily with guaranteeing individual rights (A) Article 1 (B) Article 2 (C) Article 3 (D) The Bill of Rights

Correct Answer (D) The Bill of Rights

Review Question # 9 The division of the government into three branches with distinct powers reflects the principle of (A) Federalism (B) Popular Sovereignty (C) Separation of Powers (D) Checks and Balances

(C ) Separation of Powers