Question

constitutional vocabulary
elaborate
directions: you will complete the vocabulary chart below in order to become familiar with certain constitutional terms that help limit the power of a government.
federalism: the national government and the state governments share power.
separation of powers: government responsibility and power is divided between three departments. 1) the legislative branch makes the laws. 2) the executive branch enforces the laws. 3) the judicial branch interprets the laws.
popular sovereignty: the government gets its authority from the people and reflects their will.
individual rights: liberties and privileges are guaranteed to each citizen.
key term

1. explain the term in your own words
2. describe how this term limits government power.
3. draw an image that reflects the term.

federalism
power is shared between the distant government and the more local state governments.
with federalism in place, the president only has limited control over the states throughout the country.
separation of powers
popular sovereignty
individual rights
lifelong civics (revised 2022) lep 1

Explanation:

1. Separation of Powers:

• Explanation in own words: The government's power is split among three branches - legislative (makes laws), executive (enforces laws), and judicial (interprets laws). This ensures no single branch becomes too powerful.
• How it limits government power: Each branch has checks - and - balances over the others. For example, the legislative can override a presidential veto, the judicial can declare laws unconstitutional, and the executive can appoint judges. This system prevents any one branch from monopolizing power.
• Image: A diagram with three separate boxes labeled "Legislative", "Executive", and "Judicial" with arrows showing the checks - and - balances between them.

1. Popular Sovereignty:

• Explanation in own words: The idea that the government's authority comes from the people. The people have the ultimate say in how they are governed, usually through voting.
• How it limits government power: Since the government gets its power from the people, it must act in the people's interests. If the government fails to do so, the people can vote for new leaders or demand change.
• Image: A group of people holding hands around a government building, symbolizing their control over it.

1. Individual Rights:

• Explanation in own words: These are the freedoms and privileges that every citizen is guaranteed, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial.
• How it limits government power: The government cannot infringe on these rights. They act as a boundary on what the government can do. For example, the government cannot censor a person's free - speech.
• Image: A person holding a sign with a list of rights (e.g., "Freedom of Speech", "Right to Privacy") with a government building in the background.

Answer:

Key Term	1) Explain the term in your own words	2) Describe how this term limits government power	3) Draw an image that reflects the term
Popular Sovereignty	The government gets its authority from the people, who have the ultimate say in governance.	The government must act in the people's interests as it derives power from them. People can vote for change if the government fails.	A group of people holding hands around a government building.
Individual Rights	Freedoms and privileges guaranteed to every citizen, like freedom of speech and religion.	The government cannot infringe on these rights, acting as a boundary on government actions.	A person holding a sign with a list of rights with a government building in the background.