Government flashcards
study study study
what is the purpose of the Constitution?
describes government basic structure and processes
How many constitutions had Texas had
8
what was the goal of the 1876 constitution
-decrease power of government
-limit taxes
-limit government spending
when was the U.S. constitution written
1787
how many amendments does the U.S. constitution have?
27
When does the congress meet according to the U.S. constitution
every year
when was the TX constitution written
1876
how many amendments are in the TX constitution
500
when does the congress meet according to the TX constitution
meets every other year
what is the purpose of the bill of rights?
to protect rights of individual citizens
explanation of popular sovereignty
government powers comes from the people
explanation of republicanism
citizens elect representatives to carry out their will
explanation of federalism
power is divided between the federal government and the states
explanation of separation of powers
the federal government is divided into 3 separate branches
explanation of checks and balances
each branch of the national government has the ability to check or control the power of the other 2 branches
explanation of limited government
the government has only the powers that the Constitution gives to it.
explanation of individual rights
unalienable rights of the people that the government MUST protect.
example of popular sovereignty
“We the People” from the preamble
example of republicanism
The U.S. citizens elect Congress and the president
know 7 principles of government
yes
example of federalism
federal power- defense/national security
state power- education and marriage laws
example of separation of powers
legislative-makes laws
executive- enforces laws
Judicial- judges laws
example of checks and balances
-the president can veto a bill
-senate approves presidential appointments
example of individual rights
freedom of
religion
assembly
press
petition
speech
are protected in the Bill of Rights
example of limited government
the government must obey the same laws as all Americans
what is the difference between a RIGHT and a RESPONSIBILITY
right- the freedoms we have that is protected by the law
responsibility- duties or things we should do as good citizens
what rights are in the 1st amendment
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of Religion
Freedom of the Press
Right to Petition
freedom of speech summary
citizens have the right to express their opinions
right to petition summary
citizens have the right to
voice concerns
make requests
protest the government
freedom of religion summary
citizens have the right to practice any religion and the government can’t declare an official religion
freedom of the press summary
citizens have the right to circulate opinions in print without censorship from the government
bear arms summary
citizens have the right to defend themselves
trial by jury summary
citizens have the right to a fair and speedy trial by a jury of their peers
run for political office summary
citizens have the right to run for public office
vote summary
citizens have the right to vote for people and legislation
know our rights in notes
yes
what are the 4 main responsibilities that we have as U.S. citizens
pay taxes
vote
knowledge of laws
serve on juries
pay taxes summary
fund legislation passed by representatives and votes
vote summary (responsibilities)
vote to ensure the continuation of a democracy
knowledge of laws summary
know and obey all laws passed (can’t say I didn’t know)
serve on jury summary
serve on a jury to ensure citizens have the right to a trial by jury.
right or responsibility
bear arms
right
right or responsibility
trial by jury
right
right or responsibility
pay taxes
responsibility
right or responsibility
run for political office
right
right or responsibility
vote
both
right or responsibility
freedom of speech
right
right or responsibility
right to petition
right
right or responsibility
knowledge of laws
responsibility
right or responsibility
freedom of religion
right
right or responsibility
freedom of the press
right
right or responsibility
serve on juries
responsibility
Legislative branch main function
only part of government that can propose, make, and approve bills
main function of the Executive branch
enforce or execute the laws passed by the legislature
extra description about the executive branch
-president in charge of the U.S.
- In TX, the is governor head, but has to share power with other elected officials
In what ways can a bill be stopped from becoming a law??
- the committee assigned to a bill may not approve it
-It may go to the House or Senate for a vote and not to win passage
-If the governor vetoes the bills
what happens in case of a veto
a bill only becomes a law if two thirds of the members in each house vote to approve it again
the main function of the Judicial Branch
interpret laws and ensure that justice is applied to all citizens
what does the judicial system depend on
court
judges
juries
Number of Legislative branches in TX
TX has 2 houses
Senate has 31 members
House has 150 members
additional functions of Legislative branch
also has the power to tax, spend, and borrow money from the state
