Constitutional Principles (HS) | iCivics - Free Printable

It looks like you've uploaded an image of a worksheet titled "Constitutional Principles", which asks students to:

1. Match each constitutional principle (listed in the outer circle) with its corresponding definition.
2. Define each principle in their own words.
3. Use these definitions to help complete other activities (not shown here).

The diagram shows six constitutional principles arranged in a circular flow:
- Consent of the Governed
- Popular Sovereignty
- Limited Government
- Rule of Law
- Separation of Powers
- Checks & Balances
- Federalism

Below the diagram is a table where students are supposed to write definitions for each principle.

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✔ Here’s how to solve this task step by step:

#### 🔹 Step 1: Understand Each Principle

Let’s define each of the seven constitutional principles clearly and concisely, using simple language that reflects the core idea.

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📌 Definitions (in your own words):

| Constitutional Principle | Definition |
|--------------------------|-----------|
| Consent of the Governed | The government's power comes from the people’s agreement to be governed. In other words, people must agree to be ruled by the government, usually through voting or democratic participation. |
| Popular Sovereignty | The belief that the authority of the government comes from the people. The people are the ultimate source of political power. |
| Limited Government | The government has only the powers that the people give it through the Constitution. It cannot do anything beyond those limits. |
| Rule of Law | Everyone — including government officials — must follow the law. No one is above the law. |
| Separation of Powers | The government is divided into three branches (Legislative, Executive, Judicial), each with its own responsibilities. This prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful. |
| Checks & Balances | Each branch of government has some power over the others to make sure no single branch becomes too strong. For example, the President can veto laws, but Congress can override the veto. |
| Federalism | Power is shared between the national (federal) government and state governments. Some powers belong to the federal government, others to the states, and some are shared. |

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🔁 Matching the Diagram

In the diagram, the principles are connected in a cycle. The arrows show relationships between them. For example:

- Popular Sovereignty → Consent of the Governed: People are the source of power, so they must consent to be governed.
- Consent of the Governed → Limited Government: Because people give power, the government must stay within limits.
- Limited Government → Rule of Law: Laws apply equally and limit what the government can do.
- Rule of Law → Separation of Powers: To ensure fairness, powers are divided among branches.
- Separation of Powers → Checks & Balances: Branches check each other to prevent abuse.
- Checks & Balances → Federalism: Power is also shared between national and state levels, creating another layer of balance.

This creates a logical loop showing how all principles support a fair and balanced system.

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✔ Final Answer Summary

You should fill in the table like this:

| Constitutional Principle | Definition |
|-------------------------------|-----------|
| Consent of the Governed | The government only has power because people agree to be governed. |
| Checks & Balances | Each branch of government can limit the powers of the others to prevent abuse. |
| Separation of Powers | Government power is divided among three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. |
| Federalism | Power is shared between the national government and state governments. |
| Rule of Law | Everyone, including leaders, must follow the law. |
| Limited Government | The government only has the powers given to it by the Constitution. |
| Popular Sovereignty | The people are the true source of government power. |

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💡 Tips for Completing the Worksheet

- Use your own words — don’t copy directly from textbooks.
- Keep definitions short and clear.
- Use this knowledge to answer future questions about how the U.S. Constitution works.

Let me know if you'd like a printable version or a simplified explanation for younger students!