Popular Sovereignty
Popular sovereignty: The Preamble to the Constitution begins with this bold phrase: "We the people...." These words announce that in the US, the people establish government and give it its power.The people are sovereign. Since the government receives its power from the people, it can govern only with their consent.
Examples of how Popular Sovereignty is applied:
- As U.S. Citizens we have the ability to vote for government officials.
- We have the ability to vote out government officials
- We have rights that are protected by the U.S. Constitution that the government cannot violate
How has Popular Sovereignty been applied over time?
Magna Carta (1215)
- The Magna Carta was the first document in England to guarantee a trial by jury
- The Magna Carta also guaranteed that the people have the right to Due process
- The document also outlawed cruel and unusual punishment
Petition of Right (1628)
- The petition Limited the Kings power over the people
- The monarch must obey the law of the land
Royal Colonies (1624-1775)
- In the first royal colonies the members of the legislature where elected by the people
Charter Colonies (1662-1775)
- The governors of these colonies where elected as opposed to appointed
First Continental Congress (1774)
- First elected president
- First national elected government
Articles of Confederation (1781)
- The Articles of Confederation make it so new delegates where elected every year.