The Constitutional Kite. The Sail Representative Government.

The Constitutional Kite

The Sail

Representative

Government

The String

People Power

The people control the government and can lead it anywhere they want.

The Tail

Each “bowtie” helpsmaintain a strong“sail” and it is SUPERimportant in theactual flying of thekite.

What happens to a kite with no tail?

IT WON’T FLY

The 7 Constitutional Principles

The “Bowties”

Republicanism

• A government where the citizens elect officials to represent their beliefs.

• EXAMPLE: Electing a President

Popular Sovereignty

• Political authority belongs to the people.

• Popular=People• Sovereignty=Pow

er

Limited Government

• All leaders have to obey the law, makes sure the government cannot become too strong.

• Example-the government cannot tell people where to live.

Sorry, you have to

live here.But, I don’t want to!

Separation of Powers

• The division of government to prevent one of the branches from becoming too powerful. Each branch has its own job.

Legislative Executive Judicial

Checks and Balances

• Each of the branches can check the others to keep one branch from becoming more powerful than the others.

Individual Rights

• Personal liberties (rights) guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the Bill of Rights.

Federalism

• Shared powers between…

GOVERNMENTS!

State

AND National

Key Idea

=

• The principles of government make the U.S. Constitution work, just like the tail makes the kite fly!!