American Government
Elections and Politics
Separation of Powers/Three Branches of Government
Foundational Documents
Federalism
system of government that US is based off of in which the national government reigns supreme.
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Federal: Tier of government that overrules everybody in federal system
Legislative Branch
Legislative Power: impeachment, override, makes laws
Articles of Confederation(1781): Agreement among the first thirteen original colonies that's served as their first constitution
Executive Branch
Ideology
Executive power: enforces laws, president vetoes laws, nomination/appointment
Constitution (1787): Supreme Law of land at the Federal level, defines the system of government that rules the United States of America
Judicial Branch
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State: tier of government that is for the state, schools, marriage laws
Bill of Rights (1791): First 10 amendments: guarantees civil rights and liberties.
Local: tier of government that is for the local humans, local laws, traffic laws
Liberal
Judicial Power: judicial review
Types of Powers
Enumerated or Delegated powers: Powers for the federal government. Coin money, declare war
Responsible citizenship
rights of democratic citizens
Principles of the Constitution:
1st Amendment
Legal obligation of citizens
obey the law
vote
jury duty
pay taxes
Popular Sovereignty: majority rule, people have the power
Republicanism: elected leaders represent the interest of the people
Federalism: system of gov that is controlled by two levels: federal and state
Separation of Powers: division of responsibilities of powers
Checks and Balances: to limit any one branch of exercising too much power
Limited Government: to insure gov does not get too much power
1st Amendment: Freedom of religion, press, speech, rights to assemble and petition
Amendment: Change or addition to legislation
2nd Amendment: Right to bear arms and militia
3rd Amendment: Quartering of Soldiers
4th Amendment: Warrants and Searches
5th Amendment: Individual debt and double jeopardy
6th Amendment: Speedy trial, witnesses, and accusations
7th Amendment: right for a jury trial
8th Amendment: Bail and fines
9th Amendment: citizens may have rights not listed
in the constitution
10th Amendment: powers not given to the federal gov by the US Constitution belong to the state or the the people
Concurrent powers: shared by state government and federal government
Reserved powers: strictly to state or local government, federal government is not involved.
supreme court justice, chief justice
president, vice president
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Senate
House of Representatives
Bicameral
Congress
Moderate
Conservative
acknowledge individual rights. sometimes called progressive, root word being progress, typically want change. Very far to the left is considered revolutionary. democratic.
in the middle. some liberal leanings, some conservatie leanings. Centrists.
far right. maintain the status quo-maintaining the way things are. republican. reactionary (KKK)
Your ideology can change over time. The scale of ideology continuously changes.
Our current political system is based on ideology.
Important for kids, and adults, to know that federal is the national government aka Washington DC. Regardless of who we are we are all subject to the same law.
Electoral College
State by state basis. Doesn't matter how large the margin might be it is a winner take all election style. electors pick. electors are equal to representatives and senators. ex KS has 6.
The census is extremely important because it can affect the representatives in the electoral college.
Important to teach students about responsible citizenship.