Americans were the first people to write a constitution setting up a government. Yet many ideas in the Constitution had come from other sources.

Some Americans looked at the League of the Iroquois, and how the different tribes had united. Ideas were also borrowed from Europe, particularly from two different philosophers.

 All people have the right to life, liberty, and property.  If rulers violate peoples’ rights, the people should rebel and change the leadership.

 Believed in dividing the government into 3 different branches.  The “Separation of Powers”.

Many people debated about how to divide power between states and the national government. The sharing of power between state and national governments is called FEDERALISM.

 The Legislative Branch — The Congress  The Executive Branch — The President  The Judicial Branch — The Supreme Court

 Members of the House of Representatives serve 2 year terms and Senators serve 6 year terms.  Their main function is to make laws.  They also have the power to collect taxes and to regulate foreign and domestic trade.  They also have power to declare war.

MMade up of the President and Vice President and presidential advisers. EElected to a 4 year term, and may be re-elected once. CCarries out laws passed by Congress. CCommander in Chief of armed forces, and is responsible for foreign relations.

 The Supreme Court and other federal courts hear cases that involve the Constitution or any laws passed by Congress.  They also hear cases arising between two or more states.

 Each state is given so many votes depending on their number of Senators and Congressmen.  It is used to elect the President.  We vote for the electors, and they meet in December to elect the president.

435 Congressmen+100 Senators+3 for D.C.=538 With 538 Electoral Votes, It Takes 270 to Win the Presidency!!!