CE.1a Fundamental Principles of American Government

The U.S. government is based on a set of important ideas that help protect people’s rights and prevent any one person or group from having too much power:

• Limited Government:
  • Government power is restricted by laws and the Constitution.
  • Leaders must follow the rules just like everyone else.

• Republicanism:
  • The people elect representatives to make decisions and pass laws on their behalf.
• Federalism:
  • Power is shared between the national government and the state governments. Each has its own responsibilities.
• Checks and Balances:
• Each branch of government (legislative, executive, judicial) can limit the power of the others.
• This keeps any one branch from becoming too powerful.
• Separation of Powers:
  • Government power is divided among the three branches, with each branch having its own duties.
• Popular Sovereignty:
  • The power of government comes from the people.
  • Citizens vote and have a voice in how they are governed.

CE.1b Historical Influences on the U.S. Constitution

Many earlier documents and traditions helped shape the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution of Virginia:

• Magna Carta (1215):
  • An English document that limited the king’s power and introduced the idea that everyone—even rulers—must follow the law.
• English Common Law:
  • Traditional English laws based on court decisions and customs, which influenced American legal ideas like trial by jury.
• Charters of the Virginia Company of London:
  • The Virginia Company of London got  three royal charters from King James I, on April 10, 1606, May 23, 1609, and March 12, 1612. The charters gave them permission to start the Virginia colony, told them how it would be governed, and said what land they could claim. The charters also gave the colonists the same rights as English citizens.
• Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776):
  • Written by George Mason, this document declared rights like freedom of the press and religion—many of which were later included in the U.S. Bill of Rights.

CE.1c Creating and Ratifying the Constitution

The U.S. Constitution didn’t happen overnight—it was the result of debates and compromises:

• Debates:
  • Delegates disagreed about how much power the federal government should have and how states should be represented.
• Plans:
  • The Virginia Plan favored big states by giving more votes to states with larger populations. 
  • The New Jersey Plan gave all states equal power, no matter their size.
  
• Great Compromise:
  • Combined the two plans—Congress would have two houses: one based on population (House of Representatives) and one with equal representation (Senate).
• Three-Fifths Compromise:
  • Decided how enslaved people would be counted for representation and taxes.
• Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists:
• • Federalists supported the Constitution; Anti-Federalists worried it gave too much power to the federal government. 
  • The Bill of Rights was added to protect individual freedoms and convince Anti-Federalists to support it.

CE.1d The Preamble to the Constitution

The Preamble is the introduction to the Constitution explains the purpose of the government:

• "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union..."
• It goes on to list the goals of the Constitution, like ensuring peace, providing defense, promoting general welfare, and protecting liberty.

CE.1e Key Concepts of U.S. Government

Here are some ideas that guide how the government works and protects our rights:

• Due Process: The government must follow fair procedures and laws before taking away a person’s life, liberty, or property.
• Equal Justice Under the Law: Everyone must be treated fairly in court, no matter who they are.
• Equal Protection: The laws must apply equally to all people.



• Elections and Representative Government: Citizens vote to choose leaders who represent their views.
• Right to Private Property: People can own things, and the government can’t take their property without good reason and fair payment.
• Rule of Law: Everyone, including leaders, must follow the law.
• Supremacy Clause: The U.S. Constitution is the highest law in the land. If state and national laws conflict, the national law wins.
• Separation of Powers: Repeated here to emphasize how government power is divided among branches to avoid abuse.

CE.1f Amending the Constitution

Changing a constitution is a serious and thoughtful process:

• U.S. Constitution:
  • An amendment must be approved by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and then ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures.
• Virginia Constitution:
  • An amendment must be passed by the General Assembly (Virginia’s legislature) two times and then approved by Virginia voters in a general election.