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Differences in Constitutions Texas Constitution: Bill of Rights are listed on the first page Bill of Rights arranged in different order 31 rights contained in Bill of Rights Constitution amended more than 400 times US Constitution: Bill of Rights added as Amendments Bill of Rights = first 10 amendments Constitution amended 26 times

DIFFEREINCES U.S. Constitution VS. Texas Constitution U.S. Constitution has not been rewritten has strong separation of powers & strong executive (Legislative, Executive, Judicial) U.S Constitution is short - 7,400 words, with only 27 Amendments state constitutions have been rewritten several times have weak separation of powers because of a division of executive (governor’s) power among several other elected officials. TX. Constitution is very wordy - 80,000 words long, over 400 Amendments DIFFEREINCES

DIFFEREINCES U.S. Constitution VS. Texas Constitution May change through two methods: 1. Constitutional amendment 2. Judicial interpretation through the Supreme Court Highest law of the land May change through one method: Constitutional amendment May not make laws that go against the U.S. Constitution DIFFEREINCES

SIMILARITIES U.S. Constitution VS. Texas Constitution Bicameral Legislative branch (two house congress) Vote for/elect representatives Limit the power of government Three branches of government Legislative branch makes the laws Judicial branch contains a Supreme Court The highest elected leader is in the Executive branch. Individual rights protected in a Bill of Rights At one time, slavery was legal under both constitutions

Comparing Texas and US Constitutions Complete the Venn Diagram titled “Comparing the Texas and US Constitutions” Pre-AP Answer these questions: How to protect the people from too much federal government control? The Bill of Rights grants Texans rights of free speech and press meaning….freedom to express opinions verbally or in writing Why is this important? Exercise is timed so GET TO WORK QUICKLY!