1. Foundations of American Constitutional Government
Unit 1
Foundations of American Constitutional Government

2. Relevant Standards of Learning
CE.2 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the foundations of American constitutional government by
a) explaining the fundamental principles of consent of the governed, limited government, rule of law, democracy, and representative government
CE.6 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the American constitutional government at the national level by
a) describing the structure and powers of the national government
CE.7 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the American constitutional government at the state level by
a) describing the structure and powers of the state government
CE.8 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the American constitutional government at the local level by
a) describing the structure and powers of the local government;
b) explaining the relationship of local government to the state government

3. Student objectives
List and describe five fundamental principles of American constitutional governments. (CE.2a)
Explain the principle of separation of powers and the operation of checks and balances. (CE.6b)
Explain the structure and powers of local Virginia governments (CE.8a)
Explain the relationship of the various levels of government in a federal system. (CE.7b, CE.8b)

4. List and describe five political principles of the United States government.

5. Limited government
Government is NOT all powerful and may only do those things people have given it the power to do.

6. What are some examples of “limited government”?
Due process protections
Separation of powers
Checks and balances
Bill of Rights

7. Representative government
People elect public officeholders to make laws and conduct government on their behalf.

8. What are some examples of “representative government”?
President
Congress
Governor
Virginia General Assembly
School Boards

9. Consent of the governed
People are the source of any and all government power. They give their permission to be governed.

10. What are some examples of “consent of the governed”?
Petitioning
Holding elective office
Obeying laws

11. Rule of law
The government and those who govern are bound by the law, as are the people.

12. What are some examples of “rule of law”?
Impeachment
Arrest of a public official
Special investigators

13. Democracy
In a democratic form of government, the people rule.

14. What are some examples of “democracy”?
Elections
Petitioning
Holding elective office
Campaigning
Expressing opinions

15. What is the difference between separation of powers and checks and balances?

16. Separation of Powers
The various functions of government (to make laws, to enforce laws, and to interpret laws) are conducted by three separate but co-equal branches

17. Checks and Balances
Each of the three branches of government has powers over the other two branches so that no one branch can be too powerful

18. Label the columns and rows of the table for branches and levels.
Local
State
National
Legislative
Executive
Judicial

19. Local Legislative Board of Supervisors Town or City Council
Makes laws for the locality

20. State Legislative Virginia General Assembly
Makes laws for the commonwealth of Virginia

21. National Legislative
U. S. Congress
Makes laws for the United States

22. Local Executive
Mayor
Enforces local laws

23. State Executive Governor Enforces laws of Virginia
Prepares state budget

24. National Executive
President
Enforces U. S. laws
Prepares U. S. budget

25. Local Judicial
State Courts
Hear cases involving local issues

26. State Judicial State Courts Hear cases involving state matters
Interpret the Virginia Constitution

27. National Judicial Federal Courts Hear cases involving U. S. laws
Interprets the U. S. Constitution

28. List the powers of each branch of government over the other two

29. Legislative branch’s power over:
Executive
Override veto, impeachment
Judicial
approve judicial appointments, impeachment

30. Executive branch’s power over:
Legislative
veto, special session
Judicial
appoints judges

31. Judicial branch’s power over:
Legislative
judicial review – declare acts of Congress unconstitutional
Executive
judicial review – declare executive actions to be unconstitutional

32. What is “federalism”?
A system of government in which power is shared between the local, state, and national levels of government

33. Powers of national government
Expressed
Implied
Description: Powers directly granted by the Constitution, or needed to carry out expressed powers

34. List some examples of expressed and implied powers.
Maintain an army/navy (exp)
Declare war (exp)
Form a national bank (imp)
Federal Aviation Administration (imp)

35. Powers of state and national
Concurrent
Description: Powers that are held by both national and state governments at the same time

36. List some examples of concurrent powers
Establish courts
Collect taxes

37. Powers of state government
Reserved
Description – The 10th Amendment grants rights not given or implied by the Constitution to the states

38. List some examples of reserved powers
Establish schools
Conduct elections
Regulate marriages

39. What are the primary responsibilities of government at the state and national levels?
National – conduct foreign policy, regulate commerce, and provide common defense
State – promote public health, safety, and welfare

40. Where does local government authority and powers come from?
The Virginia constitution and acts of the General Assembly

41. What are the three types of local government in Virginia?
County
Town
City

42. List four government official that the Virginia constitution requires to be elected in each local jurisdiction.
Sheriff
Clerk of the court
Commissioner of revenue
Treasurer

43. What is a “charter”?
A charter defines the powers that a city has as granted by the General Assembly.

44. What are the powers of local Virginia governments?
Enforce state and local laws
Public health and safety]
Levy and collect taxes
Protect the environment
Regulate land use
Public education

45. Raise your hand to answer the following questions!

46. Complete the following statement
“…governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the __________.”

47. Governed

48. Representative government
Once a year, Marion Middle School holds an election for student coucil. This is an example of what principle of government?
Representative government

49. A local police chief is arrested for embezzling money from the police department. This is an example of which principle of government?
Rule of law

50. What name is given to the following level and branch of government?
National Legislative
Congress
State Executive
Governor
Local Executive
Mayor
State Judicial
Virginia courts

51. In Virginia, who regulates land use, protects the environment, and provides public education?
Local government

52. What is the best way to make a good grade?

53. What is the best way to make a good grade?
Study!

54. Complete an A to Z About Unit 1 Content review sheet RIGHT NOW!