Principle of Popular Sovereignty

Quiz Notes

Popular sovereignty – belief that the people

hold the final ruling power Voter registration – state requirement to sign

up to vote in advance of an election Electoral college – people elected by state

voters to choose the President Polls – place where people go to vote Eligible – qualified Contract – formal agreement

The purpose of government is to 1. establish justice 2. secure liberty 3. provide defense The government receives the power to rule

from the people. The framers of the Constitution held that a

contract exists between the people and the government.

The people carry out their ruling power by

electing representatives to make laws. In 1789, the right to vote was limited to all

white men over age 21 who owned property. In the Constitution, the people grant the

federal government its powers and put limits on those powers.

Amendment 17 provides that the people shall

elect members of the Senate. Article 1, Section 2, provides that the people

shall elect members of the House of Representatives.

Article 2, Section 1, provides that the people shall elect members of the electoral college to choose the President.

Amendment 19 grants women the right to vote.

Amendment 26 grants 18 year-olds the right to vote.

Principle of Limited Government

Amendment – change or addition Balanced budget – plan in which the

government cannot spend more money than it takes in

Denied – not granted National debt – money the federal government

owes Limited government – government that is not

all-powerful Bill of Rights – additions to the Constitution

that guarantee individual freedoms

The failures of the AOC showed that the new

government had to be powerful The Constitution limits the powers of

government to those granted by the people. The Constitution makes clear the powers of

the government by stating the powers of Congress, President and the role of the judiciary.

After the Revolution, Americans feared a strong government.

The Constitution spells out the powers denied

to the national government and the state governments.

The framers were afraid of a strong government because of their experiences during colonial rule by Great Britain.

Article 1, Section 8, Clause, gives Congress the power

to coin money. Article 1, Section 9, Clause 5, denies the federal

government the power to spend money unless Congress passes a law allowing it.

Article 1, Section 10, Clause 1, denies state governments the power to coin money and to make treaties.

Articles 2, Section 2, Clause 1, gives the President the power to grant a pardon.

Amendment 1 guarantees that the people have the right to petition the government.

Principle of Federalism

Federalism – division of power between the

national government and the state governments Concurrent powers – powers shared by the

national government and the state governments Supreme – without limits; over all others Delegated powers – powers assigned to the

national government “elastic clause” – provision that allows Congress

to make laws that are necessary and proper to carry out its powers

Reserved powers – powers set aside for the

state governments The framers chose federalism in order to

achieve a stronger national government. The powers of the national government include

the powers of Congress and the President. Powers delegated to Congress include the

power to declare war. Powers delegated to the President include the

power to make treaties.

Powers reserved to the states include the

power to establish schools. Powers shared by the national government

and state governments include the power to regulate interstate and foreign trade.

Article 1, Section 8, describes the delegated

powers of the Congress. Article 2, Section 2, describes the delegated

powers of the President. Amendment 10 states that powers no

delegated to the national gov. and not denied to the states are reserved to the state government.

Article 1, Section 8 Clause 18, gives congress the power to make laws to exercise its other powers.

Article 1, Section 10, Clauses 2 and 3, deny

certain powers to the state government without consent of the congress.

The Constitution does not list the reserved powers of the state governments.