Texas Government Chapter 3.5(TX Constitution/Federal System)

Constitution

A body of fundamental principles or established precedents by which a state or other organization is to be governed.

Bicameral Legislature

A legislature that has two chambers or houses, such as the Texas Legislature which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Plural Executive

An executive branch structure in which members are elected separately rather than appointed by the governor, as seen in Texas.

Bifurcated Judiciary

A judicial system that has two separate supreme courts or higher courts, specific to Texas.

Bill of Rights

A section in a constitution that lists and protects the rights and liberties of citizens against government power.

Reconstruction Constitution of 1869

The constitution that was established during the Reconstruction era, providing greater rights and powers to newly freed slaves.

Current Texas Constitution (1876)

The constitution in effect today in Texas, noted for being lengthy, specific, and creating a plural executive.

Federal System

A system of government where power is shared between a national government and state governments.

Unitary System

A system of government where the national government holds supreme authority and creates state governments.

Confederation

A system where states have most of the power and create a weak national government, as seen in the Confederacy.

Concurrent Powers

Powers that are shared by both the state and national governments, such as the ability to tax.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful, allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.

Imminent Domain

The power of the government to take private property for public use, with compensation to the owner.

Popular Elections

Elections in which officials are chosen through a direct vote by the people, such as for state judges in Texas.

Civil War Constitution (1861)

The constitution established when Texas seceded from the Union, aligning with the Confederacy.

Reconstruction Amendments

Amendments added to the U.S. Constitution post-Civil War aimed at guaranteeing rights to freed slaves.

Fiscal Policy in Texas Constitution

The mandate in Texas that requires the government to maintain a balanced budget, limiting its ability to borrow.

Political Parties' Influence on Constitution

The impact of the dominant political party's ideologies and control on the drafting and amendments of the constitution.

Citizenship Protections

Provisions in a constitution that define who is considered a citizen and outline their rights.