1. The Texas Constitution
How it Reflects the Principles of Limited Government

2. 7 Texas Constitutions 1st written when Texas was part of Mexico
Our current constitution: TX Constitution of 1876
Democrats* wrote it after Reconstruction ended
*majority party in South from 1860’s to 1980’s

3. Similar Constitutions
Similarities between US and Texas constitutions include:
Protect individual rights
Contain a Bill of Rights
State how government works
Use amendments to allow for changing times

4. 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

5. Comparing Texas and US Constitutions
Work with a partner and complete the Venn Diagram titled “Comparing the Texas and US Constitutions”
Exercise is timed so GET TO WORK QUICKLY!

6. influence of ideas from the U.S. Constitution…
adopted by the Texas Constitution

7. The nature of Government is to seek power, therefore the government is best that governs least!

8. If any one branch of government can completely control another….
“(A dictator)
makes speeches to the people
promising them plenty,
gives them nothing
and takes everything.”
……..we have big problems

9. So, How to protect the states and people from too much federal government control?

10. There are four ways: separation of powers Checks and Balances
Popular Sovereignty
Individual Rights

11. Separation of powers Texas has Three Branches of Government
Each branch has specific powers that the others do not have
Some powers are “shared” (federalism)

12. Checks and Balances
The Texas Constitution lets each branch limit the power of the other two.

13. “The People are the Rulers”
Popular sovereignty
“The People are the Rulers”
The idea that government exists with the consent of the governed (people)
government has no “right” to exist.
It exists because the People allow it to.

14. Individual Rights listed in Bill of Rights
Right are inalienable, meaning they cannot be: 1. revoked
2. removed or
3. voided
They may be…
violated or abused
…If we aren’t careful

15. Importance of Free Speech and Press
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?
It’s 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.

16. Remember!
The people have the right to remove or change government when, or if, it abuses our rights.