Key Principles and Amendments of the Constitution

Article I

Created Legislative Branch (Congress)

Article II

Created Executive Branch (President & Departments to enforce & carry out laws)

Article III

Create Judicial (the courts to act as a check on the other two branches)

Article IV

Power of the states and right to their own government and protection from other states invasions

Popular Sovereignty

Government only by consent; sovereign people created the Constitution & govt.

Limited Government

Can only do the things given by the people; govt. & officers are subject to the rule of law

Separation of Powers

Power is distributed to Congress, President, Courts to limit power of govt. & prevent tyranny

Checks and Balances

Each branch may restrain the other branches; branches usually restrain themselves

Judicial Review

Courts have power to determine constitutionality of an action. Marbury v. Madison; in most cases the constitutionality is supported

Federalism

Power is divided among central & local govt.; US federalism originated because of a distant central govt.; compromise between strict central govt. & loose confederation

Formal Amendment Process

Proposal requires a 2/3 vote by Congress; Ratification requires 3/4 of states

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee individual rights

Civil War Amendments

13th (abolished slavery), 14th (granted citizenship to all born in the U.S.), 15th (prohibited voting discrimination based on race)

Voting Rights Amendments

15th (prohibits voting discrimination based on race), 19th (grants women the right to vote), 26th (lowers voting age to 18)

Basic Legislation

Congress passes laws spelling out Constitutional provisions and defining and interpreting the meaning of the Constitution

Executive Action

President uses power to outline unclear constitutional provisions; Congress has power to declare war; President's power to wage war

Court Decisions

The courts interpret and apply the Constitution as they see fit, exemplified by Marbury v. Madison

Party Practices

Major source of change; shape government and processes by holding political conventions, organizing Congress along party lines, presidential appointments

Custom

Each branch has developed traditions that are outside of the Constitution, such as the President's Cabinet, senatorial courtesy, and term limits