Government Governments are created to provide safety, order, and to serve the people. They depend on citizens taking active, responsible roles.

Vocabulary

Constitution—a detailed, written plan or framework of government

Republic—a form of government run by elected representatives Republicanism—a system of government where people elect representatives to make laws

Popular Sovereignty—the power of people to rule themselves and make decisions for themselves, also known as “rule by the people” I’m happy that WE THE PEOPLE get to make the choice I support building a new school! I don’t want my taxes wasted on new schools! Popular = People Sovereignty = Power

Checks and Balances – constitutional principle that gives each branch of the federal government the power to control some actions of the other branches.

Separation of Powers—constitutional principle that divides power among different branches of government to keep any one branch from getting too much power U.S. Constitution Legislative Executive Judicial Makes the Laws Enforces the Laws Interprets the Meaning of Laws Senate House of Representatives President and His Cabinet Supreme Court & Lower Courts

Citizens—a person who legally belongs to a country and has full rights and protections of that country

Individual Rights—constitutional principle that recognizes people’s fundamental rights

Bill of Rights—a section of a constitution that recognizes people’s fundamental rights that a government promises to protect

Federalism—a form of government in which power is divided between the states and the national government

It makes me angry that you would limit my power! Limited Government—constitutional principle that ensures that government powers are limited so that no one person has total power The Magna Carta signed in 1215 by King John of England, was the first document that limited power of the ruler. It makes me angry that you would limit my power!

Purposes of Government Laws keep order and protect Provide services: taxes, defending the nation We have a representative government—we elect leaders to change laws or make new ones

Constitutional Republic Constitutions created by both nations and states The U.S. Constitution is “the supreme law of the land” meaning 1. The U.S. is an independent nation not ruled by anyone else 2. The individual states are not sovereign nations and must conform to the U.S. laws.

The U.S. Declaration of Independence A list of grievances against King George III written by Thomas Jefferson on July 4, 1776. It declared the colonies independent from England. Dear Georgie, You stink. Love, Tom

The U.S. Constitution Written in 1787 by James Madison, who is known as the “Father of the Constitution”

Texas Constitution The U.S. Constitution influenced the Texas Constitution with the basic principles coming from the U.S. Constitution The U.S. has had one constitution since 1789; Texas has had eight different constitutions ending with the Constitution of 1876 that we still use today

Timeline of Texas Constitutions

Texas Constitution The basis of the state government and is the basic and supreme law of the state Shares several important principles with the U.S. Constitution: Popular sovereignty Republican form of government Limited government Federalism Separation of powers Checks and balances Individual rights

Texas Constitution

Texas Bill of Rights The U.S. Constitution served as a model for the Texas Bill of Rights Freedom of speech, press, and religion Freedom to bear arms Protects the rights of victims Protects the rights of the accused (right to a trial by jury)

Amending the Texas Constitution Has been amended more than 450 times since 1876 Amending the Constitution is difficult and requires two steps: 2/3 of both houses must vote in favor Win support of the majority of voters

The Texas Constitution INHERENT POLITICAL POWER; REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT. All political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit. The faith of the people of Texas stands pledged to the preservation of a republican form of government, and, subject to this limitation only, they have at all times the inalienable right to alter, reform or abolish their government in such manner as they may think expedient. -Texas Bill of Rights Aricle 1 Our Constitution is considered a living document because it is a flexible document that can be amended to meet the changing needs of the people