1. Principles of GPA.

2. Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 2 Copyright and Terms of Service Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. These materials are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of TEA, except under the following conditions: 1) Texas public school districts, charter schools, and Education Service Centers may reproduce and use copies of the Materials and Related Materials for the districts’ and schools’ educational use without obtaining permission from TEA. 2) Residents of the state of Texas may reproduce and use copies of the Materials and Related Materials for individual personal use only, without obtaining written permission of TEA. 3) Any portion reproduced must be reproduced in its entirety and remain unedited, unaltered and unchanged in any way. 4) No monetary charge can be made for the reproduced materials or any document containing them; however, a reasonable charge to cover only the cost of reproduction and distribution may be charged. Private entities or persons located in Texas that are not Texas public school districts, Texas Education Service Centers, or Texas charter schools or any entity, whether public or private, educational or non-educational, located outside the state of Texas MUST obtain written approval from TEA and will be required to enter into a license agreement that may involve the payment of a licensing fee or a royalty. Contact TEA Copyrights with any questions you may have.TEA Copyrights

3. Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 33 The decision to declare a complete break in the political connection between the 13 United Colonies and Great Britain Written and agreed to in 1776 – after spirited debate

4. Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 44 Before this time, no political system had ever been founded on the belief that –The people should rule instead of being ruled –Every person is important as an individual, created equal, and endowed with certain unalienable rights –Government should be by the consent of the governed

5. Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. The nation’s fundamental law, the “supreme law of the land” Sets the framework for the government Written in 1787, took effect in 1789 Has guided the nation through more than two centuries of tremendous growth and change 55

6. Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 66 Based on six main principles: ‒ Federalism ‒ Popular sovereignty ‒ Limited government ‒ Separation of powers ‒ Checks and balances ‒ Judicial review

7. Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 77 Organization –Preamble – a short introduction stating the purpose of the Constitution –Seven articles –27 amendments

8. Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 88 Beliefs behind the Constitution –Governmental power poses a threat to individual liberty –The exercise of governmental power must be restrained –Dividing governmental powers curbs that power and prevents its abuse

9. Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 99 Formal process –Proposed by a 2/3 vote in each house of Congress and ratified by 3/4 of the state legislatures –Proposed by a 2/3 vote in each house of Congress and ratified by conventions in 3/4 of the states –Proposed by a national convention, called by Congress at the request of 2/3 of the state legislatures and ratified by 3/4 of the state legislatures –Proposed by a national convention and ratified in by conventions in 3/4 of the states

10. Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 10 Informal –Passage of basic legislation by Congress –Exercising interpretive power Establishing federal courts, other than the Supreme Court Writing laws based on its power to regulate foreign and interstate commerce

11. Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 11 Informal (continued) : –Actions taken by the President, i.e. Declaring war without a declaration from Congress Using executive agreements instead of treaties, which must be approved by the Senate

12. Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 12 Informal (continued) : –Key decisions of the Supreme Court Interpreting and applying the Constitution in the cases it hears Established judicial review, not spelled out in the Constitution

13. Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 13 Informal (continued) : –Activities of the political parties The Constitution makes no mention of political parties; many of the framers of the Constitution were opposed to them because of their divisive effect The major parties from the 1830s have held national conventions to nominate presidential candidates – this process was not spelled out in the Constitution

14. Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 14 Informal (continued) : –Custom and usage Formation of the Cabinet – the heads of the 15 executive departments who advise the President Succession of the Vice President to the office (not just the duties) of President when the President dies in office

15. Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 9780133656329, Macgruder’s American Government, McClenaghan, W., Pearson, Prentice Hall, 2008. 15