2.1 Principles of the U.S. Constitution

Articles of Confederation

First written plan for the government of the United States. Because they created a weak national government the Articles were not successful.

Constitution

A written plan (document) for a government. It says what a government can and cannot do.

U.S. Constitution

Governing document of the United States of America. The Constitution provides the structure of government in the U.S.

Federal Republic

The structure of the American government. A group of states with a republican type of government where power rests with the people, who elect representatives to do what the people want.

Popular Sovereignty

The will of the people. People decide, by majority rule, what the government will do.

Limited Government

The government can only use the powers given to it by the Constitution.

Federalism

The power of the government is divided between the national and state governments. The national government takes care of problems facing the whole country. State governments take care of local problems.

Delegated Powers

Powers given to the federal government by the Constitution.

Identify two delegated powers (powers given to the national government).

Declare war, negotiate treaties, issue money, regulate interstate commerce and foreign trade.

Reserved Powers

Powers which the Constitution kept for the states. These powers belong ONLY to the state governments.

Identify two reserved powers (powers kept by the state governments).

Regulate education, grant licenses, provide police protection, regulate the sale of property within the state.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the national and state governments.

Identify two concurrent powers (powers held by both the federal and state governments.

Levy taxes, define crimes and punishments, determine voting qualifications, borrow money.

Separation of Powers

Power was separated across three independent branches of government to ensure no one branch could become too powerful. In America the three branches are legislative, executive, and judicial.

Legislative Branch Power

Congress makes laws.

Executive Branch Power

The President carries out the laws.

Judicial Branch Power

Judges on the federal courts interpret the laws

Checks and Balances

Each branch was given the power to stop (check) the actions of another branch in order to "balance" the power across the government.

Identify an Executive Branch check on Congress.

Veto legislation

Identify an Executive Branch check on the Judiciary.

Appoint federal judges.

Identify a Legislative Branch check on the President.

Impeach and remove the President.

Identify a Legislative Branch check on the Judiciary.

Impeach judges.

Identify a Judicial Branch check on the President.

Declare executive actions unconstitutional.

Identify a Judicial Branch check on Congress.

Declare legislation unconstitutional.