Unit 1
Foundations of American
Constitutional Government
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
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)
List and describe five political
principles of the United States
government.
Limited government
Government is NOT all powerful and may
only do those things people have given it
the power to do.
What are some examples of
“limited government”?
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•
•
•
Due process protections
Separation of powers
Checks and balances
Bill of Rights
Representative government
People elect public officeholders to make
laws and conduct government on their
behalf.
What are some examples of
“representative government”?
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•
•
•
•
President
Congress
Governor
Virginia General Assembly
School Boards
Consent of the governed
People are the source of any and all
government power. They give their
permission to be governed.
What are some examples of
“consent of the governed”?
• Petitioning
• Holding elective office
• Obeying laws
Rule of law
The government and those who
govern are bound by the law,
as are the people.
What are some examples of
“rule of law”?
• Impeachment
• Arrest of a public official
• Special investigators
Democracy
In a democratic form of government, the
people rule.
What are some examples of
“democracy”?
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•
•
•
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Elections
Petitioning
Holding elective office
Campaigning
Expressing opinions
What is the difference
between separation of powers
and checks and balances?
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
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
Label the columns and rows of the
table for branches and levels.
Local
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
State
National
Local Legislative
Board of Supervisors
Town or City Council
Makes laws for the locality
State Legislative
Virginia General Assembly
Makes laws for the
commonwealth of Virginia
National Legislative
U. S. Congress
Makes laws for the United
States
Local Executive
Mayor
Enforces local laws
State Executive
Governor
Enforces laws of Virginia
Prepares state budget
National Executive
President
Enforces U. S. laws
Prepares U. S. budget
Local Judicial
State Courts
Hear cases involving
local issues
State Judicial
State Courts
Hear cases involving state
matters
Interpret the Virginia
Constitution
National Judicial
Federal Courts
Hear cases involving U. S.
laws
Interprets the U. S.
Constitution
List the powers of each
branch of government over
the other two
Legislative branch’s power over:
Executive
Override veto, impeachment
Judicial
approve judicial appointments,
impeachment
Executive branch’s power over:
Legislative
veto, special session
Judicial
appoints judges
Judicial branch’s power over:
Legislative
judicial review – declare acts of
Congress unconstitutional
Executive
judicial review – declare executive
actions to be unconstitutional
What is “federalism”?
A system of government in which
power is shared between the local, state,
and national levels of government
Powers of national government
Expressed
Implied
Description: Powers directly granted by
the Constitution, or needed to carry out
expressed powers
List some examples of expressed
and implied powers.
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•
•
•
Maintain an army/navy (exp)
Declare war (exp)
Form a national bank (imp)
Federal Aviation Administration (imp)
Powers of state and national
Concurrent
Description: Powers that are held by
both national and state
governments at the same time
List some examples of
concurrent powers
• Establish courts
• Collect taxes
• Establish courts
Powers of state government
Reserved
Description – The 10th Amendment
grants rights not given or implied by
the Constitution to the states
List some examples of
reserved powers
• Establish schools
• Conduct elections
• Regulate marriages
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
Where does local government
authority and powers come from?
The Virginia constitution and acts of the
General Assembly
What are the three types of local
government in Virginia?
1. County
2. Town
3. City
List four government official that the
Virginia constitution requires to be
elected in each local jurisdiction.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Sheriff
Clerk of the court
Commissioner of revenue
Treasurer
What is a “charter”?
A charter defines the powers
that a city has as granted by the
General Assembly.
What are the powers of local
Virginia governments?
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•
•
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•
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Enforce state and local laws
Public health and safety]
Levy and collect taxes
Protect the environment
Regulate land use
Public education
Raise your hand to answer the
following questions!
Complete the following statement
“…governments are instituted among
Men, deriving their just powers from
the consent of the __________.”
Once a year, Marion Middle School
holds an election for student coucil.
This is an example of what
principle of government?
Representative
government
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
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
In Virginia, who regulates land
use, protects the environment,
and provides public education?
Local government
What is the best way to make a
good grade?
What is the best way to make a
good grade?
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