6 Major Principles

1
U.S. Constitution

• Mr. MacDonald

2
Why a Constitution?

• The Article of Confederation were weak and did
  not have the power to make payments on war debt.
• Needed strong central government to protect
  against foreign invasion and popular uprisings.

3
Six Major Principles

• 1) Limited Government
• 2) Republicanism
• 3) Checks and Balances
• 4) Federalism
• 5) Separation of Powers
• 6) Popular Sovereignty
• These principles were agreed upon to ensure that
  the federal government was neither too weak or
  too strong.

4
Limited Government

• The Constitution limits the scope of power
  entrusted to the government and prevents the
  government from taking away peoples liberties.

5
Republicanism

• System of government in which people elect
  officials to represent their interests in
  government. Elected officials will respond to the
  will of the people because they will otherwise be
  voted out of office.

6
Checks and Balances

• System outlined in Constitution which authorizes
  each branch of government a checking power to
  limit the power of the other branches.

7
Federalism

• Political system outlined in Constitution which
  allocates specific powers to federal government
  and unmentioned powers to regional governments.

8
Separation of Powers

• Constitution divided power of federal government
  between the three branches.
• Legislative Makes Laws.
• Executive Enforces Laws.
• Judicial Reviews constitutionality of laws.

9
Popular Sovereignty

• People are the root of all political power. They
  consent for the government to have power over
  them and they are the ultimate authority.