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

2. Vocabulary

3. Constitution—a detailed, written plan or framework of government

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

5. 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

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

7. 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

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

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

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

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

12. 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!

13. 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

14. 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.

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

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

17. 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

18. Timeline of Texas Constitutions

19. 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

20. Texas Constitution

21. 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)

22. 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

23. 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