Unit 2, Lesson 1: Principles of the US Constitution

Federalist Paper 10 is all about warning the power of factions and competing interests over the United States Government. Since everyone has their own self-interests, and people's self-interests clash with others', governments have to be able to pass laws for the common good instead of any one specific group.

Federalist Number 10 "A republic, by which I mean a government in which the scheme of representation takes place...promises the cure for which we are seeking. Let us examine the points in which it varies from pure democracy, and we shall comprehend both the nature of the cure and the efficacy which it must derive from the Union. The two great points of difference between a democracy and a republic are: first, the delegation of the government, in the latter, to a small number of citizens elected by the rest; secondly, the greater number of citizens, and greater sphere of country, over which the latter may be extended..." What is this paper about?

Finally, Federalist 39 contends that the language in the Constitution explicitly prohibiting titles of nobility and guaranteeing the states will have a republican form of government proves the republicanism of the proposed government. This large republic was also to be a (con)federal republic.

Federalist Number 39 "The next relation is, to the sources from which the ordinary powers of government are to be derived. The House of Representatives will derive its powers from the people of America; and the people will be represented in the same proportion, and on the same principle, as they are in the legislature of a particular State. So far the government is NATIONAL, not FEDERAL. The Senate, on the other hand, will derive its powers from the States, as political and coequal societies; and these will be represented on the principle of equality in the Senate, as they now are in the existing Congress. So far the government is FEDERAL, not NATIONAL. The executive power will be derived from a very compound source. The immediate election of the President is to be made by the States in their political characters...From this aspect of the government it appears to be of a mixed character, presenting at least as many FEDERAL as NATIONAL features." What is this paper about?

Federalist No. 51 addresses means by which appropriate checks and balances can be created in government and also advocates a separation of powers within the national government. The idea of checks and balances is a crucial part of the modern U.S. system of government.

Federalist Number 51 "There are, moreover, two considerations particularly applicable to the federal system of America, which place that system in a very interesting point of view. First. In a single republic, all the power surrendered by the people is submitted to the administration of a single government; and the usurpations are guarded against by a division of the government into distinct and separate departments. In the compound republic of America, the power surrendered by the people is first divided between two distinct governments, and then the portion allotted to each subdivided among distinct and separate departments. Hence a double security arises to the rights of the people. The different governments will control each other, at the same time that each will be controlled by itself. Second. It is of great importance in a republic not only to guard the society against the oppression of its rulers, but to guard one part of the society against the injustice of the other part." What is this paper about?

The U.S. Constitution reflects fundamental principles of a constitutional republic because the structure of government is defined by a CONSTITUION, but the power of THAT GOVERNMENT is derived from the PEOPLE, who elect representatives to serve THEM.

How does the U.S. Constitution reflect fundamental principles of a constitutional republic?

The organization of U.S. Constitution provide the structure of U.S. government by revolving on several fundamental principles: limited government, republicanism, checks and balances, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, individual rights, and federalism. these provisions of government are still intact today.

How does the organization of U.S. Constitution provide the structure of the U.S. government?

- feature of most democracies and it states that the power of the government is NOT ABSOLUTE. - it places limits upon the power of national and regional governments to prevent government from taking certain actions

Limited government

The Founders created a federal system of government because they wanted to divide the power between the federal and state governments. they didn't want to be like England. it is still operating today.

Why did the founders create a federal system and how does it continue to operate today?

These federalist papers explain the principles of the American consitutional system of government because they discuss provisions for limiting the role of government we have today. Federal Paper 10 warns about factions of government becoming too powerful and how we should aim to benefit the people not individual wants. Federalist Paper 39 entails the type of government we will have, which is a constitutional republic. Federalist Paper 51 discussing checks and balances and advocates for separation of powers.

analyze how the Federalist Papers such as Number 10, Number 39, and Number 51 explain the principles of the American constitutional system of government.

- this is closely related to separation of powers. - each of the branches had METHODS by which it can limit the power of the OTHER TWO BRANCHES.

checks and balances

Constitutional provisions for limiting the role of government include checks and balances. For example, the legislative branch (Congress) has the power to create and pass legislation but the executive branch (namely, the president) can VETO that legislation, preventing it from becoming law. Congress, in return, can OVERRIDE the presidential veto with a 2/3 vote.

evaluate constitutional provisions for limiting the role of government include

these are constitutional provisions for LIMITING THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT.

evaluate constitutional provisions for limiting the role of government, including republicanism, checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, and individual rights.

by forming a more perfect Union, establishing Justice, ensuring domestic Tranquility, providing for the common defense, promoting general Welfare, and securing the Blessings of Liberty.

evaluate how the federal government serves the purposes set forth in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution.

seen as the basis for what our country abides by and forbids. Each Article in the constitution covers a different aspect on how the government is structured and addresses principles of government, such as federalism or separation of powers. In addition, two articles outline the steps by which the Constitution must be ratified and amended. It establishes authority and organization within a country.

explain the importance of a written constitution

- this is the final principle of the constitution. - it describes the structure of the government - federal government= one where the power is divided between the federal (or national government) and state governments. - within each state, there is also a division of power between the state government and the local (city, county, etc.) governments. - under federal system, certain powers are reserved to the national government, some powers are reserved to state governments, and still other powers are SHARED.

federalism

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

identify how the American beliefs and principles reflected in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution contribute to both a national identity and federal identity and are embodied in the United States today.

- Under the Constitution, power of government is limited, but there is also a BUILT IN MECHANISM to protect the rights of all individual citizens- THE BILL OF RIGHTS. - The BOR sets out the most fundamental rights of individuals that the government cannot take away, including: freedom of speech and worship, the ability to protest and bear arms, freedom from unjustified searches, and the right to a trial by jury.

individual rights

- one of the most basic concepts in our government. - it means "rule by the people." the government is based on the WILL of the people and it can ONLY DERIVE its power from the consent of the governed. this is the basis of the DOI

popular sovereignty

- founded upon the practice of people electing representatives to rule on their behalf. - this is closely related to popular sovereignty

republicanism

- constitution limits power of national government by creating a structure based on the actual separation of powers. - there are 3 branches: legislature, executive, and judicial

separation of powers