Unit 12: Contemporary Texas – 1950-Present

-Power to make laws (a)  

• executive branch
• legislative branch
• judicial branch
• federalism

How does the Texas Constitution BEST reflect the principles of limited government?

• It allows Texas to negotiate treaties with nations that are on its border.

• It places more power in the office of the governor.

• It describes how the government may pass a law.

• It allows citizens to vote for government officials.

How are the Texas and U.S. Constitutions ALIKE?

• They establish voting qualifications for citizens.

• They include checks and balances.

• They establish unlimited government.

• They are alike in none of the ways listed above.

How does the selection of judges differ on the Texas and national levels?

• Texas judges are appointed

• U.S. judges are elected

• Texas judges are elect

• U.S. judges are confirmed by the House of Representatives

The Texas Constitution has many more (a)   than the U.S. Constitution.

• branches
• freedoms
• amendments
• omissions

How does the judicial branch of both the United States and of Texas check the powers of the legislature? (a)  

• By vetoing legislation
• By proposing bills for Congress
• By declaring laws unconstitutional
• By removing members from Congress

The inclusion of a Bill of Rights with the Texas Constitution reflects a commitment to -- (a)  

• republicanism
• individual rights
• separation of powers
• checks and balances

The Texas Constitution reflects the democratic principle of popular sovereignty by --

• establishing three branches of government

• describing the powers of the state agencies

• guaranteeing the individual rights of citizens

• providing for the election of government officials

One way that the Texas Constitution and the U.S. Constitution are similar is that both establish a government divided into -- (a)  

• counties
• several states
• three branches
• federal districts

What does the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution have in common?

• Separation of powers, checks and balances, and bill of rights

• Amendments, one branch of government, separation of church and state

• Tax laws, limited political terms, governor as the head of the executive branch

• Judges elected by voters, limits for governmental power, restriction of freedoms