Introduction to Government TEKS: 8.15A, 8.15D, 8.16B, 8.19A, 8.19B, 8.21B

Introduction to Government

TEKS: 8.15A, 8.15D, 8.16B, 8.19A, 8.19B, 8.21B

I. Types of Governments

• A. Monarchy- Rule by a royal family which has total power. Example: Old England.

• B. Constitutional Monarchy – Rule by a royal family and a representative government usually consisting of a congress or parliament. Example – Modern England.

• C. Democracy- Rule directly by the people. Example – Ancient Greece.

• D. Republic – Government where the people elect officials to rule. Example – USA.

II. Important Documents that influenced

American Government

• A. The Magna Carta – Written in 1215 in England that stressed life, liberty, and property. It was written by a group of noblemen. Limited the power of the King.

• B. English Bill of Rights – Written in England in 1689 guaranteeing certain basic rights.

The Magna Carta

C. The Mayflower Compact

• A document signed by the Pilgrims in 1620 that stated their intent to settle in America, pledged their loyalty to England, and set up a self government.

D. The Federalist Papers

• Series of essays written by John Jay, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison – Explained and defended the constitution

– First appeared anonymously in New York newspapers under the pen name “publius”

D. The Federalist Papers

E. House of Burgesses• Self government

set up in Jamestown in 1619. This was the first representative government (rule by elected officials) in Colonial America.

Questions???

• What is the definition of a monarchy? • What is the definition of a republic? • What document, signed in 1215, emphasized

life, liberty and property? • What effect did the Magna Carta have on the

King of England? • What were some rights expressed in the English

Bill of Rights? • What is the significance of the House of

Burgesses? • Who signed the Mayflower Compact? • What three things did the Mayflower Compact

state?

III. Important U.S. Documents

• A. Declaration of Independence - Signed July 4, 1776 declaring American independence from Great Britain.

• B. Articles of Confederation – 1st written United States government. Known for keeping the power with the people and the states and it’s lack of national power. They FAILED!

• C. U.S. Constitution – Replaced the Articles of Confederation. Has a strong national government. It is the current government of the U.S.

D. Bill of Rights/Individual

Rights• 1st 10

amendments to the United States Constitution. – Guaranteed

individual rights and were based on the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights.


Rights


Rights1st AMENDMENT•Freedom of religion, speech, assembly, press and the right to petition the government.


Rights2nd AMENDMENT•Right of states to maintain a militia and of citizens to bear arms.


Rights3rd AMENDMENT•Restricts quartering of troops in private homes


Rights4th AMENDMENT•No unreasonable searches and seizures


Rights5th AMENDMENT•Assures the right not to be deprived of “life liberty, or property, without due process of law”

– No self incrimination– No double jeopardy– Cant take property

without fair compensation


Rights6th AMENDMENT•Right to speedy and fair trial by jury


Rights7th AMENDMENT•Right to a jury trial in cases involving the common law


Rights8th AMENDMENT•No excessive bail or cruel and unusual punishment


Rights9th AMENDMENT•Provides that peoples rights are not restricted to those specified in the first eight


Rights10th AMENDMENT•Powers not granted to the national government nor prohibited to the states are reserved to the states and to the people.

E. Additional Important Amendments

•1. 13th Amendment –

Abolishes Slavery in the United States - 1865


•2. 14th Amendment -

Makes the slaves citizens of the U.S. - 1868


•3. 15th Amendment -

Ensured African Americans had the right to vote - 1870

F.RULES FOR AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION

1. Proposed by 2/3 vote of both houses of congress and approved by 3/4 of state legislatures.

2. Proposed by 2/3 of state legislatures and approved by 3/4 of state legislatures.

Note: A state convention may ratify an amendment.

Questions???

• What was the first written form of government for the United States?

• Where was most of the power in the government under the Articles of Confederation?

• What document declared our independence from England? • When was the Declaration of Independence signed? • Our current U.S. government must follow the rules set

down in what document? • What are the Bill of Rights? • What two documents influenced the U.S. Bill of Rights? • What are some rights that are contained in the Bill of

Rights? • What did the 13th amendment to the U.S. Constitution do? • What did the 14th amendment to the U.S. Constitution do? • What did the 15th amendment to the U.S. Constitution do?

IV. PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT

• A. Separation of powers - divides the responsibilities of the government into different branches.

It’s my job to create the

laws!

It’s my job to enforce the

laws!

It’s my job to interpret the

laws!

• B. Checks and balances - prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful by allowing the different branches to stop or change the actions of another branch.

Follow these rules government, or

else….!

Yes sir….

• C. Limited Government – the government must follow certain rules and limitations to its power.

•D. Federalism – The sharing of power between state and federal governments.

• E. Unalienable Rights/Individual Rights – God given rights which cannot be taken by the government without due process. Example: life, liberty, & the pursuit of happiness.– 1. These examples are

listed in the Declaration of Independence.

•F. Popular Sovereignty- the belief that government is ruled by the will of the people.

•G. REPUBLICANISM- People elect their political representatives.

Questions???

• Provide an example of how separation of powers works. • Why is it important to have a system of checks and

balances in place in our government? • What document ensures that we have a limited

government in the United States? • What are some examples of unalienable rights? • True or False: The government gives us our unalienable

rights. • What is a constitution? • Why should a government have a constitution? • A constitution can be changed by adding a(n) what?• What theory states that government is subject to the will

of its people?

Executive

President

Veto Enforce Laws

Legislative

Congress

House of Representatives

Senate

Makes the Laws

Judicial

Interprets the Laws

Supreme Court

Lesser Courts

What is the naturalization process?

1. Must be 18 or older2. Must have been lawfully admitted

and lived here for at least 5 years3. Possess good moral character4. Understand our history and our

principles of government5. Give up any foreign allegience6. Promise to obey the law.

GOOD CITIZENS

1. Obey rules and laws2. Stay informed on public issues3. VOTE!!!!!!!4. Serve on juries

Why is free speech and press important to a constitutional

republic?

•The press allows people to get information from many sources. This helps them make decisions on public issues.

•Speech allows people to communicate their opinions to the government without fear of punishment

How did our founding fathers model civic virtue?

•Worked to help others and promoted the common welfare

•Thought civic virtue was important for a republican government because people with civic virtue are interested in having the government help all the people.