hist.g5.s.civ.constitutional_principles_six
Explain the six core constitutional principles — federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, popular sovereignty, limited government, judicial review — with concrete examples for each, via iCivics 'Branches of Power' simulation
Define and apply each of the six constitutional principles via MG-5 Six-Principles Wheel: (1) FEDERALISM = power divided between national and state governments; enumerated powers (federal: coin money, declare war, regulate interstate commerce) + reserved powers (state: education, marriage, drivers' licenses, criminal law mostly) + concurrent powers (both: tax, build roads, courts); (2) SEPARATION OF POWERS = federal power divided among three branches: Legislative (Article I, makes law), Executive (Article II, enforces law), Judicial (Article III, interprets law); (3) CHECKS AND BALANCES = each branch checks each other: president can veto Congress; Congress can override veto with 2/3; Congress can impeach (House) and convict (Senate 2/3) president or judges; president nominates judges; Senate confirms (advice and consent); courts can declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional (judicial review); (4) POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY = 'We the People' (Preamble first three words); the government derives authority from the people via voting, amendment process (Article V), jury duty, petition; (5) LIMITED GOVERNMENT = the federal government only has powers delegated in the Constitution (enumerated powers) PLUS the Necessary and Proper Clause; the 10th Amendment confirms all other powers belong to states or people; the Bill of Rights specifically limits what government can do TO individuals; (6) JUDICIAL REVIEW = the Supreme Court has the final word on what the Constitution means — established in Marbury v. Madison 1803 (Chief Justice John Marshall's opinion). Apply iCivics 'Branches of Power' classroom-simulation routine where students role-play passing a bill through Congress, presidential signing or veto, and a Supreme Court constitutional challenge.
- Compare and contrast the Federalist and Anti-Federalist arguments in the 1787-1790 ratification debate — Federalist Papers #10 + #51 (Madison) vs. Brutus #1 + Centinel #1 + George Mason + Patrick Henry + Mercy Otis Warren — and explain how the Bill of Rights emerged as a compromise
- Explain each of the 10 amendments of the Bill of Rights (ratified December 15 1791) — with developmentally appropriate scenario examples for each — using the iCivics 'You've Got Rights!' framework
- Analyze the first three presidencies — Washington (1789-1797) precedents + Whiskey Rebellion + Farewell Address / Adams (1797-1801) Alien and Sedition Acts / Jefferson (1801-1809) Louisiana Purchase + Lewis and Clark + Embargo Act + Marbury v. Madison 1803
- Analyze Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831) + Worcester v. Georgia (1832) — Supreme Court rulings on Cherokee sovereignty that Andrew Jackson DEFIED — including the Cherokee Constitution 1827 as primary source
- Author a 5-paragraph federal Civic-Action Letter to a US Representative or Senator about a constitutional issue that still matters today — mailed with caregiver consent via house.gov / senate.gov lookup
- Confusing separation of powers (3 branches) with federalism (national vs. state) — they are DIFFERENT divisions.
- Believing judicial review is in the Constitution explicitly — it is established by Marbury v. Madison 1803, not the text.
- Forgetting popular sovereignty includes the amendment process — citizens, through state legislatures or conventions, ratify amendments.
- Treating 'limited government' as 'small government' — limited means bounded by enumerated powers + Bill of Rights, not necessarily small.