Constitution Assignment
Class:
Name_________________
1. These are the Seven Basic Principles of the Constitution. Your assignment is to open the
constitution (link is available on my website) and then connect the specific principles to
an actual direct quote from the Constitution.
(Example: Limited Government: “No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of
Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall
Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in
another.” –Article I
2. You will then explain why you chose the quote you did to best represent one of the
seven principles.
3. Locate the Bill of Rights and rank, according to your judgment, the most important down
to the least important. Then explain for each amendment why you chose its rank.
Basic Principles Reflected in the United States Constitution
Basic Principles
Description
Location in the Constitution
Limited Government
Powers of government are
restricted by the Constitution.
Articles I, II, III
Republicanism
Voters hold the sovereign power Preamble and Article I
and elect representatives to
exercise power for them.
Checks And Balances
Each of the three branches of
government exercises some
control over the others, sharing
power among them.
Federalism
Power is divided between the
10th Amendment
national and state governments,
limiting central power.
Separation of Powers
Each branch of government has Articles I, II, III
its own responsibilities and
limitations.
Popular Sovereignty
Authority for government flows
from the people and they rule
through their representatives.
Individual Rights
Unalienable rights guaranteed to Preamble and Bill of Rights
all citizens.
Articles I, II, III
Amendment IX and Preamble