understanding Civics: Principles of the Constitution Worksheet ... - Free Printable

Let's solve this worksheet step by step. The goal is to identify which of the five constitutional principles applies to each statement.

The five principles are:

- a. popular sovereignty – Power comes from the people.
- b. federalism – Power is shared between national and state governments.
- c. checks and balances – Each branch of government can limit the powers of the others.
- d. limited power of government – Government power is restricted by laws (e.g., Constitution, Bill of Rights).
- e. separation of powers – Powers are divided among three branches: legislative, executive, judicial.

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Now let’s go through each statement:

1. In 1996, Americans chose Bill Clinton as President.
→ This shows that the people elect the President.
✔ a. popular sovereignty

2. Congress approved President Clinton’s appointment of Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the Supreme Court.
→ The Senate (part of Congress) must confirm presidential appointments. This is a check on the President.
✔ c. checks and balances

3. Congress makes laws for the nation.
→ This is the legislative branch doing its job. Part of dividing powers.
✔ e. separation of powers

4. Massachusetts must respect the laws of neighboring Connecticut and distant Alaska.
→ States must respect each other’s laws (Full Faith and Credit Clause). This reflects federalism.
✔ b. federalism

5. The President and all other government officials must obey the law as do all American citizens.
→ No one is above the law; government power is limited.
✔ d. limited power of government

6. Voters in Illinois elected the first African American woman senator in 1992.
→ People elect their representatives. This is about popular choice.
✔ a. popular sovereignty

7. New York State cannot sign a treaty with any foreign country.
→ Only the federal government can make treaties. States have limited powers here.
✔ b. federalism

8. The Supreme Court can rule that a California state law is unconstitutional.
→ The judiciary checks state laws. This is a check on state power.
✔ c. checks and balances

9. Congress cannot pass a law that violates freedom of speech.
→ The Constitution limits what Congress can do (First Amendment).
✔ d. limited power of government

10. The powers of the national government are distributed among three branches.
→ This directly describes separation of powers.
✔ e. separation of powers

11. The government cannot arrest a person unless there is good reason to believe that he or she has violated a law.
→ Protects individual rights; limits government power.
✔ d. limited power of government

12. State and local governments control public school systems.
→ Education is managed at the state/local level, not federally.
✔ b. federalism

13. The Senate may vote against a treaty that the President has negotiated.
→ Senate checks the President’s power.
✔ c. checks and balances

14. The President can veto a bill that has been approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate.
→ Executive branch checks the legislative branch.
✔ c. checks and balances

15. The Supreme Court interprets and applies the laws.
→ Judicial branch function — part of separation of powers.
✔ e. separation of powers

16. The President is commander in chief of the military.
→ Executive branch has military authority. Part of separation of powers.
✔ e. separation of powers

17. At the President’s request, Congress declares war.
→ Congress holds the power to declare war, even if the President requests it. This shows a check.
✔ c. checks and balances

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Final Answers:

1. a
2. c
3. e
4. b
5. d
6. a
7. b
8. c
9. d
10. e
11. d
12. b
13. c
14. c
15. e
16. e
17. c

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Summary of Principles Used:

- Popular Sovereignty (a): 1, 6
- Federalism (b): 4, 7, 12
- Checks and Balances (c): 2, 8, 13, 14, 17
- Limited Power of Government (d): 5, 9, 11
- Separation of Powers (e): 3, 10, 15, 16

✔ All answers are now correctly identified based on constitutional principles.