Six Big Ideas of the Constitution

Limited Government - A legal Government which has power restricted down to smaller
areas.

Republicanism - The idea of a republic governing system.

Check and Balances - counterbalancing influences by which an organization or system
is regulated

Federalism - the federal principle or system of government

Separation of Powers - an act of vesting the legislative, executive, and judicial powers
of government in separate bodies.

Popular Sovereignty - the principle that the authority of the government is created and
sustained by the consent of its people through elected representatives.



Historical Significance

Limited Government - This idea has let states deal with their issues on a more individual
level than having the US Government creating a law that doesnt work for everyone.

Republicanism - This idea of a republic government has enabled for things to change
within the government. (Letting the government give a voice to the people)

Checks and Balances - This allows the three branches of government to limit each other
make on particular one too powerful.

Federalism - By putting together federalism with republicanism this allows the united
states to have a leader who also speaks for the people of the country.

Separation of Power - This idea has let the government tackle many issues at once in-
stead of on group of people dealing with three times the issues.

Popular Sovereignty - This is the guaranty that the people have power over their own
country and choose what happens within it.



Modern America


Limited Government - The Limited Government has allowed many areas to maintain an
income even with this recession happening. Instead of the US Gov. saying you can only
do this or that business wise. The government has let the states decide whether or not
something needs changing.

Republicanism - With in modern America republicanism has let many people express
themselves such as Occupy Wallstreet Movement. Even though it was shut down the
people in charge couldnt deny people were wanting change.

Checks and Balances - This Idea has been crucial with the US Gov being as divided as
it is. Even though we havent been able to decide on much as a government, we have
been able to keep everyone on equal ground.

Federalism - The Federalist system has allowed America to work with other countries by
putting our leader in a more representative position. Instead of trying to incorporate eve-
ry American into a UN meeting we are able to send our president to one with the belief
that he will make sure our country is taken care of.

Separation of Powers - The importance of Separate Powers has never been higher
than it is now. If you look at how the legislature is getting nowhere fast with many is-
sues, we still have the other two branches that can still function without need the other
to be operational.

Popular Sovereignty - This is much like federalism in a sense that we dont need every-
one to be present in order to be heard.