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US Government :flag-um: - Coggle Diagram
US Government :flag-um:
Amendment:
An amendment is a formal or official change made to a law, contract, constitution, or other legal document.
1st Amendment:
Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly, right to petition.
2nd Amendment:
Protects the right of Americans to keep and bear arms
State and Federal Government
Concurrent powers:
shared with state and local government. con meaning with together
Reserved powers:
Public schools, powers that are not specifically given to the federal government by the Constitution and are instead reserved for the states.
Federal:
(Central, national, Washington DC) The federal government has the power to regulate trade between states, declare war, manage the mail, and print money - composed of three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial
State
:A government that operates within a country that has a federal form of government.
Local:
County, town, A government that has the authority to make and carry out decisions within a specific area that is smaller than a state.
Forms of Government
Parliamentary systems:
A democratic form of government where the majority party in parliament forms the government
Oligarchy:
The elite, usually based on wealth, who owns land (originally), titles passed down
Monarchy:
A form of government where a single person, the monarch, rules as the head of state, usually inherited
Democracy:
Government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections. (people have power in democracy)
Dictatorship:
An autocratic form of government which is characterized by a leader, or a group of leaders, who hold governmental powers with few to no limitations.
Documents
Declaration of Independence (1776):
Thomas Jefferson, It declared the 13 American colonies to be free and independent states, and severed their political ties to Great Britain (break up letter)
Constitution:
Is the supreme law of the U.S., outlining the government framework and citizens' rights. Ratified in 1788, it includes a preamble, seven articles, and the Bill of Rights, which protects individual liberties.
Powers
Legislative:
The branch of government that makes laws, consisting of Congress (Senate + House of Representatives) and support offices.
Congress:
The lawmaking body of the U.S., made up of the Senate and House of Representatives.
Bicameral:
A legislature with two chambers, like the U.S. Congress.
House of Representatives:
One chamber of Congress, with members based on state population.
Senate:
The other chamber of Congress, with two members per state.
Executive:
The branch of government that enforces laws, led by the President.
President:
Head of the Executive branch and the country, responsible for implementing laws.
Vice President:
Second-in-command, supports the President and takes over if needed.
Judicial:
The branch of government that interprets laws.
Supreme Court Justice:
A judge on the highest court, the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice:
The head judge of the Supreme Court.
Ideology:
A set of beliefs or principles guiding political, economic, or social views.
Liberal:
Advocates for social equality, government intervention in the economy, and progressive reforms.
Moderate:
Holds centrist views, blending liberal and conservative beliefs, often advocating compromise.
Conservative:
Emphasizes limited government, individual liberties, traditional values, and free markets.
Political Parties: An organized group of individuals with shared political beliefs that look to influence government policy and gain electoral power.
Republican:
A political party that typically advocates for conservative policies, limited government, and free-market principles.
Independent:
A voter or candidate who does not align with a specific political party, often holding multiple beliefs from both parties.
Democrat:
A political party that generally supports liberal policies, social equality, and government intervention in the economy.