The Bill of Rights

“The Constitution is the successor of the Articles of Confederation. The

Preamble is the head of the Constitution, which explains why the Constitution was made. Changes to

the Constitution are called Amendments. The first ten

amendments, which cover the rights of citizens, are called the Bill of

Rights.”

Nice Job!

A high school principal has reason to suspect some students of bringing weapons onto campus. After receiving a tip from a teacher, the principal searches the lockers of three students and finds a knife and a small handgun in one student’s locker. The other two lockers turn up nothing.

Nothing gets past me!

Consider This

1. In this situation, what rights do the students assigned to these lockers have?

2. What rights does the principal, acting on behalf of the student body, have?

3. On a high school campus, should authorities be allowed to search student lockers whenever they want?

What Do You Think?

Constitutional Principles

Popular SovereigntyBecause the government is created by and for the people, power resides not with the government or its leaders but with the people. In a representative democracy, the people vote to elect leaders to represent their interests.

Rule of LawThe people and their government must abide by a set of laws, rather than by arbitrary rules set down by any individual or group. The Constitution sets limits to governmental power and establisheshow leaders who overstep their power can be removed.

Constitutional Principles

Separation of Powers and Checks and BalancesPowers and responsibilities are divided among three government branches to prevent any one person or group from having too much power. A system of checks and balances allows each branch to monitor and check the power of the others to prevent any abuse of government power.

FederalismPower is divided between the central government and the individual state and local governments.

Constitutional Principles

Independent JudiciaryThe judicial branch is established as an independent entity, free of pressures and influences from the other two branches. The Supreme Court is the highest authority in the federal court system.

Individual RightsIndividual rights and liberties are protected against government encroachment.

Federalism: How Power Flows Through Our Federal Government

Who Makes the Decisions?

Copy this Venn diagram in your notebook. List at least 3 decisions in each section.

1. Gov. power must be restrained 2. Gov. power poses a threat to individual liberty 3. Dividing gov. power will curb it and prevent its abuse

Why Federalism?

Federalism Division of power

3 levels of government

Federal System

National

StateLocal

1. Expressed Stated in the Constitution

2. Implied Not expressly stated in the constitution BUT are

reasonably suggested

3. Inherent Powers that belong to the national government

Powers of the National Government

Expressed Stated in the Constitution

DeniedNot expressly stated in the Constitution

but are implied

Powers Denied to the National Government

• Reserved powers- –powers not given to the national government but to the

states

• Denied powers

Powers for the States

Concurrent Powers Powers both the national and states have

National and State Powers

Republican form of governmentHelp protect the states Respect the territorial integrity of each state

NATIONAL GOVERNMENT’S

OBLIGATION TO THE STATES

Interstate = Between StatesInterstate CompactsFull faith and creditExtraditionPrivileges and Immunities Clause

Interstate Relations