U.S Goverment

In this lesson you will learn....

• Recognize that the Constitution is the framework of U.S government.
• Identify the rights of citizenship granted by the Bill of Rights.
• Delineate the powers of the federal and state government.
• Identify the 3 branches of government.

WHAT IS THE CONSTITUTION?

• (Read Consitution)
• The Constitution was written by the country’s first leaders.
• The document remains the foundation for all laws & framework for the U.S
• This document remains the foundation for all laws (200 years)
• Supreme court, state, businesses and individuals follow this doc.

Untitled Slide

• It was developed as a result of American Colonist independence
• The constitution designed to receive its power from the people.
• (Limited government:protected individual right but provided society laws.)
• • It went into affect in 1789.

What is a constitutional amendment?

• It is a change or addition to the Constitution.
• It was adopted in 1791.
• • Changes made: ended slavery, women’s right to vote and limited President’s term to two.

What is the bill or rights?

• Read as a class.
• They list the freedoms given to all U.S citizens
• Freedom of speech, religion, right to a fair trial, right to gather peacefully

What are the limiting Powers of Government?

• The constitution limits the powers of government
• It separates it into 3 branches
• branches: executive, legislative and judicial
• Purpose of this is to limit the government power over people
• Thus, there is national (federal) government and state government

What is the first branch of Government?

• Executive: President is the executive branch
• He enforces laws, serves as commander in chief & conduct foreign affairs.
• Vice President is elected with the President
• • The President cabinet :secretaries, 14 executive departments and key members

What is the 2nd branch of government?

• Legislative branch: senate & house of representatives (make national laws)
• Two senators are elected from each 50 states
• House of representatives: 435 members, elected according to population
• Both houses have some shared responsibilities and some separate ones

What is the 3rd branch of government?

• The Judicial branch is a system of federal courts
• Job:all laws and treaties are constitutional or agree with U.S constitution.
• Highest federal court: Supreme Court
• Supreme court:9 justices & judges nominated by President and approved by state

HOW DOES A BILL BECOME A LAW?

• Observe the chart
• • Activity (For this activity:a president, 6 congress members (2 senate and 4 representatives), 4 people)