The Seven Principles of the Constitution

The Constitution rests on seven basic principles.

Popular Sovereignty #1• The idea that government gets its authority

(power) from the people.• The people have the right to alter or abolish

their government.• Let the people decide. VOTE

People Freedom to choose

• The government only has power that the Constitution gives it.

• Everyone from you to the President must obey the laws.

Limited Government #2

Republicanism #3•Republicanism is based on Roman government-people elect representatives to make decisions for them.•The people exercise their power by voting for their political representatives.•According to the Founders (Framers), these lawmakers played key role in making a republican government work.

• Instead of taking a direct part in government, citizens of the United States elect representatives to carry out our will.

• Once in office our representatives vote according to their own judgment.

• Representatives stay in touch with their constituents by having a home office and maintaining web sites.

Republicanism

• The Constitution protects individual rights, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to trial by jury.

• Our individual rights are protected in the Bill of Rights. Liberties and freedoms.

Individual Rights #4

• The Constitution divides the government into three branches.

• The Three Branches– Legislative Branch-Makes the laws.– Executive Branch- Carries out the laws.– Judicial Branch- Explains and interprets the

laws.

Separation of Powers #5

• The framers set up safeguards against the abuse of power.

• Each branch of government has the power to check (limit) the actions of the other two branches.

Checks and Balances #6

• Federalism is the balancing of powers between the federal government and the states.– Federal powers include the following:

• Coin money• Declare war• Regulate trade between the states

– State powers include the following:• Regulate trade inside their own state• Make rules for state elections• Establish schools

– Some powers are shared by the national and state governments.

– Powers not clearly given to the federal government belongs to the states.

Federalism #7

Texas Constitution

• A constitution is a basic plan of government, describing the parts of government, outlining their duties and powers, and defines the rights of citizens

• A constitution’s functions:–Makes government legal–Makes clear the duties of major officials– Tells how voters may select officials– Limits the power of government

Texas Constitution

• There have been 7 constitutions of Texas (1827, 1836, 1845, 1861, 1866, 1869, 1876)– Do any of the above years look familiar??

• The Constitution of 1876 is the one we still use today

• Our constitution is based on the US Constitution, although much longer (there are 400 amendments!)

Executive Branch

Legislative Branch

Judicial Branch

Separation of Powers“Proudly keeping other branches of the government

from getting too powerful since 1876”

Three Branches of Government

•Legislative Branch•Executive Branch• Judicial Branch

Legislative Branch

• Main role: make laws• Made up of Congress: Senate (31 members)

and House of Representatives (150 members) • Meet once every 2 years• Senators are elected every 4 years– Must be at least 26 years old, US citizens, and TX

citizens for five or more years

• Representatives are elected every 2 years– Must be at least 21 years old, US citizens, and TX

citizens for two or more years

Executive Branch

• Main role: carry out laws• Made up of Governor, Lieutenant

Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Board of Education, and others

• Because everyone is elected (not chosen by the Governor) in the Executive Branch of Texas, the powers of the Governor of Texas are limited

Governor of Texas• Head of the Executive Branch• Elected every 4 years• Must be at least 30 years old, a US citizen, and a resident

of Texas for at least five years• Lives in the Governor’s Mansion in Austin• Has the power to veto laws made by the legislative

branch (stop before it becomes law)• Has the power to call for a special session, bringing all

lawmakers back to Austin for work• Serves as the Commander in Chief of the TX National

Guard• Has the power to declare martial law in parts of the state• Can choose many state officials• Can grant pardon (release from punishment) to criminals

Judicial Branch• Main role: interprets laws, resolve disputes,

protect rights of Texas citizens• Composed of a system of courts to handle two

categories of disputes: civil and criminal law• Civil Law

– Disputes between two or more people or groups– Often involve property rights, family matters, or

personal injuries; also deal with civil rights

• Criminal Law– Laws that protect people and maintain order– Courts punish people who break laws

Checks and Balances

The Judicial Branch Can…

Declare laws written by the legislature to be unconstitutional

The Legislative Branch Can…

Vote to overturn the governor’s veto if 2/3 of the reps and senators agree to do so

The Executive Branch Can…

Veto (reject) laws written by the Legislative Branch