CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES of

AMERICA

SIX PRINCIPLES 1. POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY – people are

the power

SIX PRINCIPLES

2. LIMITED GOVERNMENT - “RULE OF LAW”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-nXT8lSnPQ

SIX PRINCIPLES3. SEPARATION OF POWERS – 3

branches are independent and distinct

SIX PRINCIPLES4. CHECKS & BALANCES

Each branch has the power to “check” the actions of the other two

SIX PRINCIPLES5. FEDERALISM – power divided between national and regional governments

SIX PRINCIPLES 6. JUDICIAL REVIEW

CONSTITUTION

• ARTICLE I – Legislative Branch – Congress

• ARTICLE II – Executive Branch – President, VP

• ARTICLE III – Judicial Branch– Supreme Court

• Article IV – State Relations» Extradition» Full Faith & Credit Clause

• Article V – Amending the Constitution» Formal – changes that become part of the

written language of the Constitution itself (4 methods)

» Informal – over time, changes have been made in the Constitution, which HAVE NOT involved changing the written word (5 methods)

• Article VI – Supremacy Clause» Constitution,Treaties / Acts of Congress, State

laws, Local laws

• Article VII – Ratification Requirements» 9/13 states