Texas Constitution vs. U.S. Constitution Quiz & Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What important functions are performed by state constitutions?

Specify the limits and uses of power by state institutions and individuals. (correct)

Empower the Republican and Democratic parties within the state.

Establish limits on the influence of the federal government over states.

Clarify the source of a state's political power. (correct)

Which of the following is the correct definition of the term unicameral?

A legislature that only has one body.

Before voters participate in a constitutional amendment election, what step must happen first?

The legislature votes to put the amendment on the ballot.

The U.S. Constitution specifies how powers are allocated within state-level institutions.

False Signup and view all the answers

Relative to the U.S. Constitution, the Texas Constitution is _ and adopts a tone of _ governance.

longer, limited. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following concepts in the Texas Constitution of 1836 were adapted from Spanish-Mexican law?

Homestead protections. Signup and view all the answers

Select the states whose constitutions are over 80,000 words in length and have more than 300 amendments.

Texas and Alabama. Signup and view all the answers

Rank the sovereignty of the different levels of government from most to least powerful.

National > state > local. Signup and view all the answers

Study the following data on election turnout in Texas and determine which statements are accurate.

Turnout for presidential elections is far higher than turnout for constitutional amendment elections. Signup and view all the answers

Match 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.

Texas Constitution of 1845 = Detailed the original agreement for Texas's statehood. Texas Constitution of 1861 = Made it illegal to free enslaved people. Texas Constitution of 1869 = Created a much more powerful governor. Signup and view all the answers

The authors of the Texas Constitution were influenced by the U.S. governing documents and the writers of The Federalist Papers. What did Madison's text from Federalist 51 reflect?

Government is divided into distinct and separate departments. Signup and view all the answers

Local governments in Texas derive their authority from which sources?

The Texas Constitution. Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the term impeachment?

A charge of wrongdoing. Signup and view all the answers

What has been a difficult outcome of the fractured structure of the Texas government?

Outsized influence of energized factions of the public and interest groups. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about similarities between the Texas Constitution and the U.S. Constitution are true?

Both provide the power for branches to limit the actions of one another. Signup and view all the answers

What effect did the creation of decentralized boards and districts have on the Texas government?

It made it more difficult to revise and reform policies affecting government power. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important element that would protect our system of government according to Article 7?

A general diffusion of knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

Place the following events 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.

Texas's independence from Mexico (1836) > State of Texas joins the United States (1845) > Civil War (1861 to 1865) > Fourteenth amendment ratified (1868) > Grange movement influences new Texas Constitution (1876) > Texas Equal Rights Amendment added to the state constitution (1972). Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristics have been central in all of Texas's constitutions since Texas joined the United States?

Division of power. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the most accurate characterization of the current Texas Constitution?

A long and complex collection of specifically written policy. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best explains why certain states have the longest state constitutions?

States with narrowly written and restrictive constitutions generally have the longest state constitutions. Signup and view all the answers

How does the plural executive influence Texas government?

It ensures that each member of the plural executive has an independent base of power. Signup and view all the answers

The civil liberties protections in the _ have largely been incorporated to apply to states through the due process clause of the _.

Bill of Rights, Fourteenth Amendment. Signup and view all the answers

Identify which characteristics are unique to the Texas Bill of Rights and which apply to both the U.S. and Texas Bills of Rights.

Texas Bill of Rights = Appears as the first article of the Constitution. Both U.S. and Texas Bills of Rights = Includes liberties of speech and press. U.S. Constitution = Short document with flexible language. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is one of the most important themes of the Constitution of 1876?

Limited spending. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these have served as sources of frustration for states in their relationship with the federal government?

Necessary and proper clause. Signup and view all the answers

How do both the U.S. and Texas constitutions seek to prevent tyranny?

Checks and balances. Signup and view all the answers

This proposal counters the Supreme Court's interpretation of which part of the U.S. Constitution?

Necessary and proper clause. Signup and view all the answers

Match the clause characteristic to the amendment in which it is found.

Thirteenth Amendment = Ends slavery. Fourteenth Amendment = Guarantees equal rights for people in all states. Fifteenth Amendment = Bans race discrimination in voting. Signup and view all the answers

What does the data indicate about a sincerely held religious belief?

It can exempt someone from laws designed to prevent discrimination. Signup and view all the answers

Texas has one of the lengthiest state constitutions. Why has it been amended more than 500 times?

It places specific restrictions on the government and political process. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most consequential way in which Presidential Reconstruction differed from Congressional Reconstruction?

Presidential Reconstruction focused on returning the status quo of the past. Signup and view all the answers

How do the lieutenant governor and the Speaker of the House receive their positions of leadership?

The lieutenant governor is elected statewide, and the Speaker of the House is chosen by members of the Texas House of Representatives. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately portrays the tax burden in Texas?

Texans still contribute about a twelfth of their income to state taxes. Signup and view all the answers

Before the 2019 amendment, what issue did state leaders bring up regarding the state income tax?

The state faced recurring budget issues and the need to fund public education. Signup and view all the answers

Drag the following provisions to their proper place: Texas Constitution of 1876, U.S. Constitution, or both.

Texas Constitution of 1876 = Complex, specific, and long document. Both = Popular sovereignty. U.S. Constitution = Short document with flexible language. Signup and view all the answers

Since 1983, Texans have voted to amend the state's constitution dozens of times. What does the data indicate about voter turnout?

Presidential elections consistently attract more than triple the turnout of amendment elections. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspects of the Mexican national constitution of 1824 differed from the U.S. Constitution?

The selection of the president and the role of religion. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about the goals of Texas during its time as an independent republic?

Texans wanted to join the United States. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Functions of State Constitutions

State constitutions delineate the limits and applications of power by state authorities and individuals.
They distribute authority within state political institutions and clarify the source of a state's political power.

Unicameral Legislature

A unicameral legislature consists of a single legislative body.

Constitutional Amendment Process

Before a constitutional amendment can be voted on by the public, the state legislature must first approve it for the ballot.

Texas vs. U.S. Constitution

Contrary to the U.S. Constitution, which does not allocate powers at the state level, the Texas Constitution is longer and embodies limited governance principles.

Influence of Spanish-Mexican Law

The Texas Constitution of 1836 adopted various concepts from Spanish-Mexican law, including community property rights, homestead protections, and retention of mineral rights.

Length and Amendments

Texas has one of the longest state constitutions with 92,025 words and 507 amendments, making it significantly longer than the U.S. Constitution.

Government Sovereignty

Sovereignty hierarchy: National government is the most powerful, followed by state governments, with local governments having the least power.

Voter Turnout in Elections

Turnout for presidential elections is notably higher than for constitutional amendment elections, indicating political engagement fluctuates with the type of election.

Historical Texas Constitutions

The Texas Constitution of 1845 outlined statehood agreements, while the 1861 Constitution opposed emancipation, and the 1869 Constitution empowered the governorship and was influenced by Radical Republicans.

Structure and Power Division

The division of government into distinct departments prevents the concentration of power and protects individual freedoms, as discussed in Federalist 51.

Local Government Authority

Local governments derive their authority from the Texas Constitution and Texas citizens, not from the U.S. Constitution.

Impeachment Definition

Impeachment refers to the formal charge of wrongdoing against a public official.

Fragmented Executive Structure

The plural executive model in Texas makes it harder to reform policies and increases the influence of special interest groups.

Importance of Education

Article 7 of the Texas Constitution emphasizes the necessity of education for maintaining a democratic government.

Timeline of Texas History

Notable historical events: Independence from Mexico (1836), admission to the U.S. (1845), Civil War (1861-1865), ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment (1868), influence of the Grange movement on the 1876 Constitution, and the addition of the Texas Equal Rights Amendment (1972).

Continuity in Texas Constitutions

Key themes in all Texas constitutions include federalism, individual rights, division of power, and strong popular control, while flexibility and strong governance are absent themes.

Current Texas Constitution Characterization

The current Texas Constitution is recognized as a lengthy and intricately detailed document, full of specific policies.

Characteristics of Long State Constitutions

States with restrictive and narrowly written constitutions tend to have longer documents due to numerous specific provisions.

Plural Executive Influence

The plural executive system prevents power concentration and allows executive members to operate independently, thus diffusing executive functions.

Civil Liberties and Rights

The Bill of Rights influences state constitutions through the Fourteenth Amendment, providing civil liberties protections applicable to states.

Unique Features of Texas Bill of Rights

Texas's Bill of Rights specifies the right to a republican government and public policy provisions, appearing as the first article of its constitution.

Limited Spending Theme

A core theme of the Texas Constitution of 1876 is to impose limits on state spending.

Tensions with Federal Government

States experience frustrations related to the supremacy clause, necessary and proper clause, and the Fourteenth Amendment, affecting their autonomy.

Preventing Tyranny in Governance

Both the U.S. and Texas constitutions employ separation of powers, checks and balances, and natural self-interests to mitigate tyranny.

Presidential vs. Congressional Reconstruction

Presidential Reconstruction aimed to restore previous governance structures, unlike Congressional Reconstruction, which sought more radical changes.

Leadership Positions in Texas Legislature

The lieutenant governor is elected statewide, while the Speaker of the Texas House is selected by the House members themselves.

Tax Burden in Texas

Texans contribute approximately one-twelfth of their income to state taxes, reflecting the overall tax burden.

State Income Tax Discussion

Prior to a 2019 amendment, discussions regarding a state income tax were primarily associated with budgetary constraints and education funding needs.

Venn Diagram Comparison

The Texas Constitution is characterized as complex, specific, and lengthy, whereas the U.S. Constitution is noted for its brevity and flexible language.

Voter Turnout Trends

Voter participation in constitutional amendment elections is consistently low compared to presidential elections, despite high public interest in specific issues.

Mexican National Constitution of 1824

The Mexican Constitution differentiated from the U.S. Constitution in presidential selection and religious roles, yet shared similarities like separation of powers and bicameralism.

Goals of Early Texas Independence

Texans aspired to become part of the United States during their period as an independent republic.

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Explore the fundamental aspects of the Texas Constitution through flashcards. This quiz highlights the essential functions that state constitutions serve, including the distribution of power and clarification of political authority in Texas. Test your knowledge and deepen your understanding of state governance principles.

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