Popular Sovereignty
ultimate power and final authority rests with the people
Republicanism
The people exercise their power by delegating it to representatives chosen by them through the election process
Federalism
Power is divided between the central ( national) government and the state governments. Some powers are concurrent and thus held by both levels of government ( ex: power to tax)
Separation of Powers
Power within the national government is divided among three separate branches ( Executive, Legislative, and Judicial)
Checks and Balances
Each of the three branches of the national government has certain controls ( checks) over the other two branches
Limited Government
Government power is limited by the rule of law which includes the Constitution. This means that government is not all-powerful
Individual Rights
Personal freedoms, personal protections and equality under the law are guaranteed in the Constitution and Bill of Rights
7P practice
“We the People”
popular sovereignty
7P practice
impeachment
checks and balances
7P practice
tenth amendment
federalism
7P practice
arresting someone
limited gov or individual rights
Executive branch
- article 2
- includes president, vice president and cabinet
- president is limited to 2 terms (22 amendment)
- conducts business out of the white house ( presidential mansion)
cabinet meetings ( e branch)
- the first cabinet meeting had 4 positions
- 15 positions today
EXAMPLES: - secretary of state
- secretary of the treasury
- secretary of war
Judicial Branch
- article 3
- Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1789 to create the court system
- 6 members then, now 9
supreme court justice is nominated by president and approved by senate - most important power the court has is JUDICIAL REVIEW, established by 1803 case Marbury v. Maddison
Legislative Branch
- article 1
- Congress is bicameral
- 435 members
-one representative for every 30,000 people ( originally) - 2 members/state
- total members in Congress are 535
- Congress makes laws
- pass bills with 51%
House and Senate Representatives
House of reps = the American people
Senate = fairness toward states
Federal System
- ” federalism”
- sharing of power between the national and state govs
Given National Powers - go to war
- print money
- create post office
Given State Powers
- make laws
- education
Amendments
- 27 amendments
- first 10 = Bill of Rights
- Anti-Feds wanted to limit power of the government
- 2/3 of Congress must support, 3/4 of states must approve to pass
Amendment 19
gave women right to vote
Amendment 13
ended slavery
Amendment 22
limited president to 2 terms
Checks and Balances ( explanation)
- checks attempt to limit someones power ( ex. veto)
- appointments made by president is approved by senate
- crime = impeached
- 2/3 of Senate must vote to remove president
- only Congress can declare war
- passing laws = both sides of Congress must approve
- Founding fathers included many checks and balances to prevent federal gov from becoming too powerful
Representative requirements
House of reps = age 25 ( article 1 section 2)
President = natural born, 35 years old, 14yr residency
