Chapter 2
Which of the following is the correct definition of the term "unicameral"
A legislature that has only one body
Which of the following is the most accurate characterization of the current Texas Constitution?
A long and complex collection of specifically written policy
Which of the following characteristics have been central in all of Texas's constitutions since Texas joined the United States?
-Individual rights -Division of power -Federalism -Strong popular control
What effect did the creation of decentralized boards and other districts outside the authority of the governor have on the Texas government.
-It made it more difficult to revise and reform policies affecting government power -It created a system more susceptible to special interests.
Place the following events in the history of Texas in order from oldest to most recent.
-Texas's independence from Mexico -State of Texas joins the United States -Civil War -Fourteenth Amendment ratified -Grange movement influences new Texas Constitution -Texas Equal Rights Amendment added to the state constitution
Local governments in Texas, such as cities and counties, derive their authority from which sources?
-The citizens of Texas -The Texas Constitution
Why is voter participation in Texas constitutional amendment elections so low?
-There are no candidates on the ballot. -Many amendments are insignificant to voters. -The elections are held on off years from major general elections.
The authors of the Texas Constitution were influenced bu the U.S. Government documents and the writers of The Federalist Papers, such as James Madison. Select the passages of Madison's text from Federalist 51 that reflect how government is structured to protect people from government becoming too powerful.
-Usurpations are guarded against by a division of the government into distinct and separate departments. -Divided between two distinct governments. -Subdivided among distinct and separate departments
Relative to the U.S. Constitution, the Constitution is _ and adopts a tone of _ governance.
-longer -limited
Because the framers believed tanta education was so important, they included Article 7 in the state constitution. Select the portion of text from Article 7 that best expresses what the framers thought was the most important element that would protect our system of government.
A GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE being essential to the preservation of the liberties and rights of the people, it shall be the duty of the Legislature of the State to establish and make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools.
What is the meaning of the term "impeachment"
A charge of wrongdoing
Match the each characteristic or provision to the constitution it belongs to: the Texas Constitution of 1845, the Texas Constitution of 1861, or the Texas Constitution of 1869.
Constitution of 1845: -Provided for possible emancipation of enslaved people -Detailed the original agreement for Texas's statehood Constitution of 1869: -Was heavily influenced by Radical Republicans -Created a much more powerful governor Constitution of 1861: -Declared allegiance to the Confederacy -Made it illegal to free enslaved people
In 1824, settlers coming to Texas from the United States stopped being under the authority of the U.S. Constitution and instead were governed by the Mexican national constitution. Which aspects of the Mexican national constitution of 1824 differed from the U.S. Constitution? Which aspects were the same?
Different: -The selection of the president -The role of religion Similar: -The separation of powers -Protection of state powers -A bicameral legislature
Following the example of the U.S. Constitution, the Texas Constitution offers few specifics on the structure and powers of the judicial branch.
False
The U.S. Constitution specifies how powers are allocated within state-level institutions.
False
Match the clause characteristic to the amendment in which it is found.
Fifteen Amendment: -Bans race discrimination in voting Thirteenth Amendment: -Ends Slavery Fourteenth Amendment: -Defines who is a citizen -Forces states to follow due to process to remoce rights -Guarantees equal rights for people in all states
Texas has one of the lengthiest state constitutions. Which of the following is a reason that the state's constitution has been amended more than 500 times, even though it is nearly 100 years younger than the U.S. Constitution, which has only 27 amendments?
It places specific restrictions on the government and political process.
The government of Texas is separated into many parts. In addition to having here branches of government, one branch- the executive -is divided into a plural executive with different constituencies. Which of the following has been a difficult outcome of this fractured structure.
Outsized influence of energized factions of the public and interest groups.
Answer the question using your knowledge of the current Texas Constitution and the graphics below.
States with narrowly written and restrictive constitutions generally have the longest state constitutions.
Before voters participate in a constitutional amendment election, what step must happen first?
The legislature votes to put the amendment on the ballot
What important functions are performed by state constitutions?
specify the limits and uses of power by state institutions and individuals divide authority within the political institutions of the state clarify the source of a state's political power
