6 principles of the US Constitution

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that governmental authority derives from the people.

Voting

The process by which citizens participate in selecting their government representatives.

Protest

A public demonstration or gathering to express disapproval or advocate for change.

Limited Government

A government whose powers are restricted to what is outlined in the Constitution.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent one branch from gaining too much power.

Legislative

The branch of government responsible for making laws.

Executive

The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws.

Judicial

The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures no branch of government becomes more powerful than the others.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to determine if a law or government action is constitutional.

Federalism

A system where power is divided between national, state, and local governments.

Amendment X

The amendment stating that powers not given to the national government are reserved for the states.

Supremacy Clause

Article VI states that the Constitution and Federal Laws are the supreme law of the land.

Elastic Clause

Article 1, Section 8 allows the government to stretch its powers to address issues not specifically addressed in the Constitution.

National Powers

Powers specifically delegated to or expressed by the national government.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the national and state governments.

Reserved Powers

Powers that are not delegated to the national government and are reserved for the states.