Name ___________________________

Principles Underlying the Constitution (pp. 89-93)

Popular Sovereignty

1. What is a republic?

2. What does popular sovereignty (consent of the governed) mean?

3. The idea that the power in the United States comes from the people is stated in the beginning of the Constitution, which begins “We the people…” What is the opening of the Constitution called?

4. How do people exercise their power in a democracy?

5. How can regular citizens reject or replace government officials who do not perform their job well?

Rule of Law

6. Give an example of something that Article I of the Constitution does NOT allow Congress to do.

7. What does “rule of law” mean?

Separation of Powers

8. What does “separation of powers” mean? Name the three branches.

9. Name the French philosopher who believed in separation of powers.

Checks and Balances

10. What does “checks and balances” mean?

11. What does it mean that each branch can “check” the other two?

12. Give and example of a check that each branch has over another. Also state which branch is being checked by that power.

Branch Power Which branch is checked?

Executive:

Legislative

Judicial

Federalism

13. What is federalism?

14. Which levels of government make laws that we must follow?

Dividing Power

15. What is an enumerated/expressed power? Give two examples (see chart at top of page).

16. What is a reserved power? Give two examples (see chart).

17. What are concurrent powers? Give two examples (see chart).

The Supremacy of the Constitution

18. In which article of the Constitution can you find the “supremacy clause”?

19. What does the Constitution mean when it states that the Constitution and other national laws are “the supreme law of the land”?

20. If a state law conflicts with a national law, which law must be followed?