Unit 5: Government
Concepts
Government
Guiding
Questions:
Assurance
Statements:
Vocabulary
Essential Questions
● How do new ideas change the way people live?
● Are civic rights a privilege or responsibility?
● Does the system of checks and balances provide us with an effective and efficient government or do they make
the government work too slowly?
● Is the suppression of public opinion by the government ever justified?
● How are individual rights essential to a democracy?
● How does the Constitution reflect the seven principles of government?
● Is the Constitution a living document? (amendment process, elastic clause, judicial interpretation, legislative
modifications, etc…)
● What kinds of things do “good” citizens do?
1. Grievances in the Declaration of Independence led to the construction of the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution.
2. The Constitution reflects the following principles of government: limited government, federalism, separation of
powers, checks and balances, popular sovereignty, republicanism and individual rights.
3. Article 5 of the Constitution allows the government to make changes based on societal needs.
4. Responsibilities of citizens in this nation include serving on a jury, obeying rules and laws, staying informed on
political issues and voting.
Assurance Words from Previous Grades
New Terms
Bicameral
Legislative branch
Constitutional republic
Judicial review
Checks & balances
Limited government
Impeachment
Override
Civic
Popular sovereignty
Executive branch
Republicanism
Federalism
Separation of power
Individual rights
Veto
Judicial branch
TEKS and Content
(15) Government. The student understands the American beliefs and principles reflected in the … the U.S. Constitution, and other
important historic documents. The student is expected to:
(15.D) analyze how the U.S. Constitution reflects the principles of limited government, republicanism, checks and balances,
federalism, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, and individual rights.
(20.A) explain the role of significant individuals such as … Charles de Montesquieu
Seven Principles of Government:--Connect these ideas to historical & contemporary events
1. Popular sovereignty – people rule
2. Republicanism – people vote for their representatives
3. Federalism – power divided between a central (national) government & state governments (provide examples of delegated,
concurrent, and reserved powers)
4. Separation of Powers – divide the government into 3 branches, each w/ specific responsibilities (idea of Charles de Montesquieu)
Legislative Branch (Congress) – makes the laws
 Two houses – bicameral
 Meeting place – Capitol building
 House of Representatives (435 members – based on population)
 Senate (100 members – 2 per state)
Executive – enforces the laws
 President & Vice-President
 Residence & office – White House
 Powers (Role of the President)
o Commander in Chief of military
o Grant pardons & reprieves
o Make treaties
o Appoint ambassadors and judges to the Supreme Court
Judicial (Supreme Court) – interprets the laws
 Chief Justice plus 8 additional members
 Meeting place – Supreme Court
5. Checks and Balances – each branch of government can control (check) the powers of the other branches
 Veto
 Judicial Review
 Ratify Treaties
 Override
 Confirm Appointments
 Impeachment
Textbook p. 258 uses the Dred Scott Case and 14th Amendment as examples of checks & balances (TEKS 16B & 18C)
6. Limited Government – everyone (government officials and citizens) must obey the law; governmental powers are restricted to
those which fall within the guidelines of the Constitution
7. Individual Rights – personal liberties & privileges are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights
(29C) organize and interpret information from … visuals, including graphs, charts,--Checks & Balances and Federalism
(1.A) identify the major eras and events in U.S. history through 1877, including … creation and ratification of the Constitution, …
and describe their causes and effects
Purposes of the Constitution (Preamble)
 Form a more perfect Union
 Provide for the common defense
 Establish justice
 Promote the general welfare
 Insure domestic tranquility
 Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity
(15.C) identify colonial grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence & explain how those grievances were addressed in the
U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
(29B) analyze information by comparing, contrasting (Compare Declaration of Independence & Constitution; may compare with
Articles of Confederation too)
Grievances Addressed in Constitution (use primary sources)
 King imposed taxes without consent—taxes must be approved by House of Representatives
 King made the military superior to the civil government—President is Commander in Chief
 King kept a large standing army among colonists—Congress controls the size of the military through funding
 King made judges dependent on his will—Judges appointed for life
 Refusing his assent to laws--Veto can be overridden
 Quartering troops—3rd amendment
 For cutting off our trade—Congress controls trade & can only tax imports
(16) Government. The student understands the process of changing the U.S. Constitution and the impact of amendments on American
society.
(16.A) summarize the purposes for and process of amending the U.S. Constitution;
Amending the Constitution
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Purpose – Constitution is a living document & must be able to change with the times
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Process
o
Proposing Amendments – either 2/3 vote of both houses of Congress OR 2/3 state legislatures call for a
national convention
o
Ratifying Amendments –approval of ¾ of the state legislatures OR approval of ¾ of state conventions
(19) Citizenship. The student understands the rights and responsibilities of citizens of the United States. The student is expected to:
(19.B) summarize rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights;
Bill of Rights – 1st ten amendments
(use direct quotes; essential for students to memorize concept with amendment number)
Protects the inalienable rights of the citizens
1st – Religious & Political Freedoms (RAPPS)
o Freedom of religion
o Right to peaceful assembly
o Freedom of press
o Right to petition grievances to the government
o Freedom of speech
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2nd – Right to bear arms
3rd – No quartering of troops
4th – No unreasonable search & seizure without probable cause or warrant
5th – Rights of the accused (double jeopardy, due process of law, protection against self-incrimination)
6th – Right to a Speedy, Public Trial in Criminal cases (counsel for defense, confront witnesses, impartial jury)
7th – Trial by Jury in Civil Cases
8th – No cruel & unusual punishment or excessive fines or bail
9th – Rights of the People (just because it’s not stated doesn’t mean citizens don’t have other rights too)
10th – Powers of the States (if not in the Constitution, the power is reserved for the States)
(19.C) explain the importance of personal responsibilities, including accepting responsibility for one's behavior and supporting one's
family;
(19.D) identify examples of responsible citizenship, including obeying rules and laws, staying informed on public issues, voting, and
serving on juries;
(19.F) explain how the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens reflect our national identity.
Rights & Roles of Citizens
 In our constitutional republic, the rights & responsibilities of citizenship are a reflection of our national identity. They have been
shaped by many factors including the multicultural nature of the U.S., the exercise of freedom of religion, the tradition of individual
rights & economic freedom.
 Responsibilities
o Civic – obey the rules & laws; serve on juries; pay taxes; stay informed of issues; vote
o Personal – helping & supporting one’s family; getting an education; accepting responsibility on one’s behavior
(19.E) summarize the criteria and explain the process for becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States;
(29B) analyze information by drawing inferences and conclusions—use Amendment Process Chart (p.260)
 Citizen by birth - born in the U.S. or born outside of the U.S. but parents are U.S. Citizens (connect to 14 th amendment)
 Citizen by naturalization – process to become a U.S. citizen
o Requirements – 18 years of age; enter the U.S. legally; live in the U.S. for at least 5 years prior to application; read, write, & speak
English; show knowledge of American history & government
o Process – file an application; take an exam; file a legal petition; appear at a court hearing; take an oath of allegiance to the U.S.
(21) Citizenship. The student understands the importance of the expression of different points of view in a constitutional republic. The
student is expected to:
(21.B) describe the importance of free speech and press in a constitutional republic
Importance of free speech & press
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Allows criticism of the government which can lead to improvements
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Allows freedom of expression & the free exchange of ideas
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Increases the amount of information available so voters can make informed decisions
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A free press acts as a watchdog of the government's actions
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Deliberate lies which cause harm or statements which cause “a clear & present danger” to others are not protected
(25.C) analyze the impact of the First Amendment guarantees of religious freedom on the American way of life.
Amendment 1—“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”
Impact of religious freedom on American way of life:
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Many people migrated to America to practice their own religious beliefs
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First amendment guarantees the right to engage in religious practices that do not directly harm other individuals
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Establishment clause—First Amendment states that Congress will not establish a religion
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Jefferson used the phrase “separation of church & state” to describe the relationship between government & religion which
has helped to promote religious freedom & diversity in society.