Aim: What are the six basic principles of our Constitution?

Do Now:

What are values and principles?

What are three principles or ideas that you would base your laws and structure on if you

were to write your own Constitution?

What is a Constitution?

• A document that lays out framework and the procedures of a government.

• It sets limits for a government in which it must conduct itself.

Popular Sovereignty• A doctrine of political

theory that a government is created by the will of the people.

Government can govern only with the consent of the people

Limited Government

• A government may do only those things that the people have given it the power to do

• Constitutionalism –gov’t must conduct according to the constitutional principles

• Rule of Law – gov’t and it’s officials are never above the law

Rule of Law: Hillary Clinton Says Chelsea Erased Servers During Postpartum Depression

Separation Of Powers

• Government is divided into 3 groups

• Allows each one to focus on only one job

• Legislative makes laws

• Executive enforces laws

• Judicial interprets and applies the laws

Checks and Balances• The 3

branches of gov’t are tied together by a system of checks and balances

• Each branch is restrained by the other two

Judicial Review

• Allows for the Judicial branch to determine whether a government’s actions is in agreement with the Constitution

• Supremacy Clause: US Constitution is the supreme law of the land

Federalism• The division of

power between the state and federal government

• States have their own laws, courts, constitutions, and elected officials