Foundations of American
Constitutional Government
Unit 1
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”?
• 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”?
• 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”?
• 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
Local State National
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
Label the columns and rows of the table for branches and levels.
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:
ExecutiveOverride veto, impeachment
Judicialapprove judicial appointments, impeachment
Executive branch’s power over:
Legislativeveto, special session
Judicial
appoints judges
Judicial branch’s power over:
Legislativejudicial 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.
• 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. Sheriff
2. Clerk of the court
3. Commissioner of revenue
4. 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?
• 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 Representative governmentgovernment
A local police chief is arrested for embezzling money from the police department. This is an example of
which principle of government?
Rule of lawRule 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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