THE THE CONSTITUTIONCONSTITUTION

Six Key Constitutional Principles

Concept 1: Popular Sovereignty

• In the United States, all political power resides in the people. They are the only source for any and all governmental power.

• Government can govern only with the consent of the governed.

Concept 2: Separation of PowersA way of dividing power among three branches of government in which members of the House of Representatives, the Senate, the president,

and the federal courts are selected by and responsible to different constituencies.

Concept 3: Checks and Balances

A government structure that gives each of

the three branches of government

some degree of oversight and

control over the actions of the

others

Concept 4: Federalism

System of government in which power is divided between the national government and the state

governments and in which independent states are bound together under one national government

Concept 5: Limited Government

A type of government in which

its functions

and powers are written, limited, and restricted by law to

protect the citizenry.

National Government• May not violate the Bill of Rights • May not impose export taxes among

states • May not use money from the Treasury

without the passage and approval of an appropriations bill

• May not change state boundaries

State Government• May not enter into treaties with other

countries • May not print money • May not tax imports or exports • May not Impair obligations of contracts • May not suspend a person's rights

without due process

Concept 6: Judicial Review

• The power of the court to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action.• The Supreme Court established this power in

Marbury v. Madison.

Cartoon #1Which constitutional principle is represented in this cartoon? What is the message the

cartoonist is trying to get across? What symbols does the cartoonist use?

Cartoon #2Which constitutional principle is represented in this cartoon? What is the message the

cartoonist is trying to get across? What symbols does the cartoonist use?

Cartoon #3Which constitutional principle is represented in this cartoon? What is the message the

cartoonist is trying to get across? What symbols does the cartoonist use?

Cartoon #4Which constitutional principle is represented in this cartoon? What is the message the

cartoonist is trying to get across? What symbols does the cartoonist use?