11th Grade Site
By Brandon Kalinowski

The Six Basic Principles of our Constitution

Popular Sovereignty

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This means that our government is made by the people for the people. This essentially means that our President and other representing leaders are working for us, not the other way around. This ideal system puts the needs of the masses above the needs of those who are in public office. As Benjamin Franklin wrote "In free governments, the rulers are the servants and the people their superiors and sovereigns."

Popular Sovereignty in Practice 

  • A real life example of this concept is Kansas Statehood. With free-soilers moving in to stop slavery, border ruffians moved in to expand slavery in the border state. This led to widespread bloodshed, and gave the state its temporary nickname "Bleeding Kansas." To end the bloodshed, Kansas was given a choice to let its people decide the issue of slavery. Due to popular sovereignty, Kansas was admitted a free state into the Union in early 1861.
  • A common modern example of popular sovereignty is voting. Any citizen over the age of 18 years can and should participate in their government this way and helping choose who will represent us in the various public offices.
  • Another example of popular sovereignty is our ability to impeach leaders. Impeachment is the formal process in which an official is accused of unlawful activity. The people can vote against an official meaning that even the President is not above the law. Andrew Johnson was impeached in 1868 for violation of the Tenure in Office Act of 1867. Bill Clinton was impeached in 1998 for perjury of justice. All of these impeachments would not have happened without our Constitution giving the people the power.
  • A fourth example of popular sovereignty is the recent uprising in Egypt.