• Modeled after United States Constitution

• Creates three branches of government

• Based on seven principles• Included a Bill of Rights (list of

freedoms)

• Limited government

• Checks and balances

• Federalism

• Separation of powers

• Popular sovereignty

• Individual rights

• Republicanism

• Support for the form of government in which voters elect representatives

A system in which the power of government is limited by the

constitution.

A system in which control is placed solely with the rules and there are not

limits to his authority.

All political power comes from the people

The sharing of power between federal and state governments.

POWER

Federal State

Makes laws

Collects taxes

Establish courts

Build highways

Protect citizens

Regulates tradeCoins moneyProvides armed servicesPostal service (mail)Declares warSigns treaties

Establish public schoolsConduct electionsDrivers License

The division of power between the three branches of government.

• Legislative

• Executive

• Judicial

• Makes the laws

• Two houses- House of Representatives and Senate

• Elected by voters

• Meets every two years to create new laws

• Makes the budget (how tax money is spent)

• Can override a governor’s veto

• Governor

• Enforces or carries out the laws

• Approves or vetoes a bill

• Consists of about 200 agencies (Child Protective Services, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Highway Department, Economic Development, and Tourism)

• Interprets the laws (laws are used fairly)

• Courts

• Judges

• Includes Texas Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals

• Examples are: Traffic Court and Divorce Court

• Sales Tax

• Fuel Tax

• Car Sales and Rental Tax

• Insurance Tax

• Business Tax

• Building and repairing state roads and highways

• Maintain state parks

• Public school, colleges and universities

• Help people who cannot pay for their own food, shelter, or health care

Each branch of governmenthas a check on the other two branches so that no one branch becomes toopowerful.

Freedoms guaranteed to every citizen

Other

Rights