Name ________________________________________________________________________ Period _________ pg.

# __________

Principles of the Constitution Notes

SS.7.C.1.7 Describe how the Constitution limits the powers of government through separation of powers and checks
and balances.
SS.7.C.1.9 Define the rule of law and recognize its influence on the development of the American legal, political, and
governmental systems.
SS.7.C.3.3 Illustrate the structure and function (three branches of government established in Articles I, II, and III with
corresponding powers) of government in the United States as established in the Constitution.
SS.7.C.3.4 Identify the relationship and division of powers between the federal government and state governments.

Key Vocabulary
Term
Ambassador
Executive
Order

Impeach

Nullify
Treaty

Veto

Definition
An official representative of a
countrys government
A rule or order issued by a
president to an executive branch
of government and having the
force of law
To bring formal charges of
wrongdoing against a public
official.
To legally cancel

Sentence or Picture

A formal agreement between the

governments of two or more
countries
To reject

1) What is a constitution?
A written plan for government
2) The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land
3) What are principles?
Basic beliefs that guide peoples lives or the government.
4) Use the Federalism reading to define the following terms:
Enumerated Powers: The powers directly listed in the constitution and granted to
the national government. Also called expressed or delegated powers
Reserved Powers: Powers that belong to the state.
Concurrent Powers: Powers that belong to BOTH the national and state
governments.
5) What is the difference between Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances?
Both principles divide the power of government into branches, but in Checks and
Balances each branch has the power to limit the other two.
6) What is a constitutional government?
A form of government based on a written set of laws to which all citizens agree. In
this form of government, the Constitution is the highest law of the land. The
Constitution limits the power of both the federal and state governments. It says what
each may and may not do. Constitutional government is organized in such a way that
one person or group cannot get enough power to control the government.

Name ________________________________________________________________________ Period _________ pg.# __________

Principles of Government
Popular Sovereignty
The idea that the power of
the government comes
from the people.

Rule of Law

Limited Government
The idea that government can do
only what the people allow it to do.

The law applies to everyone;

no one is above the law.

United States
Constitution
Separation of Powers

Checks and Balances

Dividing the government

into three branches. Each
branch has its own role
and responsibility. No
branch has ALL the
power.

Divide the power of

government into three
branches. Each branch
has the power to limit
the other two
branches.

Federalism
Judicial Review
The power of the
judicial branch to
review the actions of
the executive and
legislative branches
and determine
whether or not they
are unconstitutional.

Fill in the following chart on Separation of Powers & Checks and Balances.

Power of the
government is
divided between
the national
government and
the states.

Legislative Branch
Who:
Powers of this Branch:

Judicial Branch

Executive Branch
Who:

Who:

Powers of this Branch:

Powers of this branch: