7 Prin of Constitution

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7 Principles of the Constitution

Checks and Balances –

■ system that overlaps the powers of the three branches of government so that each branch can
limit (check) the powers, actions, and activities of the other two branches.
■ No one branch of government is allowed to become too powerful and dominate government.

Federalism –

■ a system of government in which a constitution divides the powers of government between a


national government (federal government) and several regional governments (the states) within
a union.

Individual Rights –

■ rights of the individual person that the government cannot take away.

■ These include economic rights related to property, political rights related to freedom of speech
and press, and personal rights related to bearing arms and maintaining private residences.

■ Many individual rights are found in the Bill of Rights.

Limited Government –

■ the Constitution and laws define the limits of those in power so they cannot take advantage of
their elected, appointed, or inherited positions.

■ Everyone, including all authority figures, must obey the laws (rule of law).

■ Government is restricted in what it may do.

Popular Sovereignty –

■ a principle of American government that political power rests with the people.

■ The people are the final authority and the source of all governmental power and can create,
alter, and abolish government.

■ People express themselves through voting and free participation in government.

Republicanism –

■ a system of government where elected representatives are elected by and serve at the will of
the people, and government is based on the consent of the governed.
Separation of Powers –

■ a principle of American government that divides the powers of government among the
executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the government.

■ These branches are independent and coequal branches of government.

The Amendment Process

 The Amendment process is a ____________ in the written word of the Constitution.


 Article ___ of the Constitution sets out how to amend it.
 Federalism is exemplified in the amendment process because _____.
 When the Constitution is amended it represents the will of the _____.

Two ways to propose:

1.

2.

Two ways to ratify:

1.

2.

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