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Principles of American Government: A Comprehensive Overview

Learn about the key principles of U.S. government from the Articles of Confederation to the U.S. Constitution, including popular sovereignty, federalism, separation of powers, and more.

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Principles of American Government: A Comprehensive Overview

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  1. Standard Indicator 8-3.3 The Basic Principles of Government

  2. ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION 1783-1789 • derived its powers from the states • too weak to meet the needs of the new nation

  3. UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION • drawn up in1787 • ratified in 1788 • went into effect in 1789 • Established a limited government • Powers to govern shared between national & state governments

  4. US CONSTITUTION cont…….. • Bill of Rights—written guarantee of individual rights • Constitution—highest law of land/supreme law of land • All laws must conform to Constitution

  5. BASIC PRINCIPLES OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT Popular Sovereignty: Democracy • authority for government comes from the people (Amendment IX (9) & Preamble) Individual Rights: • Unalienable rights guaranteed to all citizens (Preamble & Bill of Rights) Federalism: • division of powers between national government & state governments (10th Amendments)

  6. PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT Separation of Powers: • 3 branches of government to limit the power of any one branch Legislative Branch: • Congress makes the laws, bicameral Executive Branch: • headed by president & carries out the laws Judicial Branch: • federal courts; highest court is Supreme Court, it determines the constitutionality of laws

  7. PRINCIPLES CONTINUED Checks & balances: • each branch can check the power of the other, checks keep any branch from becoming too powerful • Example: process of a bill becoming a law; bill passed by Congress and president can sign or veto it, if vetoed Congress can override the veto with 2/3rd’s vote Limited Government: • powers restricted by Constitution & Bill of Rights

  8. PRINCIPLES CONTINUED Representative Democracy: (republicanism) authority of the government comes from “We, the people” • Voters hold the sovereign power but elect representatives to exercise power for them • Includes president, Senators, Representatives • Most state governments mirror the organization of the national government: 3 branch government, & concepts listed above

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