Principles

Constitutional Principles Name: Shauna Vance
Principle Examples. In this activity, you will read five things that were said or written around the
time the Constitution was created. Follow the instructions for each one.
1) During the debate over the Constitution, James Madison made this argument in an essay we
now call The Federalist 45:
“The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and
defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite.”
a. Which principle best describes Madison’s c. Explain the connection between what Madison said
argument about the federal government? and the principle you selected:
 Popular Sovereignty The connection between what
 Checks and Balances Madison said and the principle is
that Madison wanted State
■
Limited Government
Governments to have more control
 Rule of Law for the people in their state and
 Separation of Powers for the federal governemet to have
a limited amount of control of
b. Highlight the words or phrases that helped what happens in the state, which
you decide which principle to choose. goes along exactly with what
limited goverment is.
2) In The Federalist 39, James Madison explained this:
“The House of Representatives, like that of one branch at least of all the State legislatures, is
elected immediately by the great body of the people. The Senate, like the present Congress,
and the Senate of Maryland, derives its appointment indirectly from the people. The President
is indirectly derived from the choice of the people, according to the example in most of the
States. Even the judges, with all other officers of the Union, will, as in the several States, be
the choice, though a remote choice, of the people themselves.”
a. Which principle best describes Madison’s c. Explain the connection between what this section
argument about the federal government? says and the principle you selected:
■
Popular Sovereignty Popular Sovereignty and what
Madison said goes hand in hand
 Checks and Balances
with the idea that the
 Limited Government governement's power is based on
 Rule of Law the consent of the people
 Separation of Powers themselves.
b. Highlight the words or phrases that helped

"through a remote choice, of the
people themeselves"
you decide which principle to choose.
© 2016 iCivics, Inc. Activity ̶ Side A

Constitutional Principles Name: Shauna Vance
3) Article 2, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution says this:
“The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office
on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”
a. Which principle best applies to this section? c. Explain the connection between what this section
says and the principle you selected:
 Popular Sovereignty
 Checks and Balances The rule of law connects with what
 Limited Government was said in this section cause the
rule of law makes it so the
■
Rule of Law
government has to follow the law
 Separation of Powers
and limits it's power.
b. Highlight the words or phrases that helped
you decide which principle to choose. "shall be removed from office on
Impeachment for, and Conviction,
Bribery, or other high crimes and
4) George Mason was among the group of Anti-Federalists that were opposed to the Constitution.
misdemeanors"
Here’s his view about the role of the Vice President:
“That unnecessary officer the Vice-President, who for want of other employment is made
president of the Senate, thereby dangerously blending the executive and legislative powers…”
a. Which principle best describes Mason’s concern? c. Explain the connection between what Mason
said and the principle you selected:
 Checks and Balances
 Popular Sovereignty Seperation of powers allows
 Limited Government there to be independent branches
 Rule of Law
but it still keeps them
connected so another branch
■
Separation of Powers
doesen't get out of control.
b. Highlight the words or phrases that helped you
decide which principle to choose. "thereby dangerously blending
the executive and legislative
powers..."
5) In The Federalist 48, James Madison made this argument:
“Unless [the three branches] be so far connected and blended as to give to each a
constitutional control over the others, the degree of separation … essential to a
free government, can never in practice be duly maintained.”
a. Which principle best describes what c. Explain the connection between what Madison said
Madison is explaining? and the principle you selected:
 Popular Sovereignty Checks and balances goes with what
■
Checks and Balances
Madison said because each branch
is able to stop another branches
 Limited Government
actions if they are not
 Rule of Law
constitutional.
 Separation of Powers
b. Highlight the words or phrases that helped "so far connected and blended as
you decide which principle to choose. to give to each a constitutional
© 2016 iCivics, Inc.
control over the others,..."
Activity ̶ Side B

Principles

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Constitutional Principles Name: Shauna Vance

2) In The Federalist 39, James Madison explained this:

b. Highlight the words or phrases that helped

© 2016 iCivics, Inc. Activity ̶ Side A

3) Article 2, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution says this:

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