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Texas Constitutions and the Seven Principles of Government • Essential Questions: – Explain the significance of 1876 – Identify the seven principles of government – Compare the principles and concepts of the Texas Constitution and U.S. Constitution, including the Texas and U.S. Bill of Rights The Texas Constitution • Overall, there have been 7 Texas constitutions. • The first, the Constitution of the State of Coahuila y Tejas, was written when Texas was part of Mexico in 1827. • Our current state constitution is from 1876. • Democrats wrote it after Reconstruction ended. – The majority party in the South from 1860s to 1980s. The Role of Constitutions • Each Texas constitution specified parts of the government and the duties of each, gave government bodies various powers, described the rights of citizens, provided a way to make changes through amendments, and reflected the time in which it was written. • Most Texas constitutions are modeled after the U.S. Constitution and reflects the seven principles of government. Principle #1: Limited Government • Government has only the powers granted by the constitution • Requires all U.S. citizens, including government leaders, to obey the law Principle #2: Republicanism • A system in which voters elect people to represent them in government • All government leaders are citizens who share the same rights and follow the same laws as the people they govern Principle #3: Checks and Balances • The ability of each branch of government to exercise checks, or controls, over the other branches • The Texas Constitution lets each branch limit the power of the other two. Principle #4: Federalism • A system of government where power is shared among the central (or federal) government and the states • Texas is part of a federal system (the U.S.A.) • It is no longer a separate entity (a republic) • Texas is legally equal to all other states Federalism (Continued) • What each state CAN do: – Create laws (ex: marriage and property) – Create school districts and curriculum – Set minimum ages for: • Drivers licenses • Getting married Federalism (Continued) • What each state CANNOT do: – Coin or create its own money – Create state laws that violate constitutionally protected civil rights – Create international trade agreements – Declare war (only U.S. congress can do that) – However, the USA has final legal authority over all of the states. Principle #5: Separation of Powers • The division of basic government roles into branches • Texas and U.S. government have 3 branches • Each branch has specific powers that the others do not have • Some powers are shared (federalism) Principle #6: Popular Sovereignty • All political power comes from the people • The idea that government exists with the consent of the governed (people) • Government has no right to exist…but it does exist because the people allow it to. Principle #7: Individual Rights • Civil liberties and personal privileges guaranteed to citizens and protected by the Texas Bill of Rights – Ex: freedom of speech, press, religion, etc. • Rights are inalienable, meaning they cannot be: – revoked, removed, or violated • Rights may be: – violated or abused…if we aren’t careful Free Speech and the Press • The Bill of Rights grants Texans rights of free speech and press meaning….freedom to express opinions verbally or in writing • This is important because in a democracy (like ours), it is essential that people and the press be able to express opinions without fear of government limitations. • The people have the right to remove or change government when, or if, it abuses our rights. Differences in Constitutions • U.S. Constitution – Bill of Rights added as amendments – Bill of Rights = First 10 amendments – Constitution amended 27 times • Texas Constitution – Bill of Rights are listed in the first article of 17 – Bill of Rights arranged in different order – 31 rights contained in the Bill of Rights – Constitution amended more than 470 times Amending the Texas Constitution • Requires three steps: – Member of legislature proposes an amendment – 2/3 of both houses of the legislature must vote in favor of a proposed amendment – Then, the amendment must win support from a majority of voters.