Our Nation’s Government Page

Vocabulary Democracy - a government run by the people Democracy - a government run by the people Citizen - a member of a country by birth or law (18 to vote) Citizen - a member of a country by birth or law (18 to vote) Constitution - our main laws Constitution - our main laws Constitution Bill Of Rights - first 10 amendments (changes to the Constitution) Bill Of Rights - first 10 amendments (changes to the Constitution) Bill Of Rights Bill Of Rights Freedom of speech, religion, press Freedom of speech, religion, press Jury - group of citizens in court who decide if the person is guilty or innocent Jury - group of citizens in court who decide if the person is guilty or innocent Checks and Balances - no one branch of government can become more powerful than the others. Checks and Balances - no one branch of government can become more powerful than the others. Each branch has the power to check, or stop, the work of another branch. Each branch has the power to check, or stop, the work of another branch. Veto - reject Veto - reject

THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT RULED BY CONSTITUTION LEGISLATIVEEXECUTIVEJUDICIAL

Legislative Branch: Powers and Responsibilities Makes the laws Also known as Congress Led by Senate and House of Representatives. (Elected by citizens) Every state has two senators. The Representatives are determined by the states’ populations. Back

Executive Branch: Powers and Responsibilities Carries out the laws Carries out the laws Led by the President Led by the President Presidents are elected to four-year term and may only serve two terms. Presidents are elected to four-year term and may only serve two terms. President is in charge of all military President is in charge of all military Back

Judicial Branch: Powers and Responsibilities Makes sure the laws are followed Led by the Supreme Court Justices Decides if new laws passed agree with the Constitution Supreme Court Judges elected for life

REVIEW Name the three branches of the government. Name the three branches of the government. What is the main function of each branch? What is the main function of each branch? What do they all have in common? What do they all have in common? How does the system of checks and balances work? How does the system of checks and balances work?

State Governments Can ONLY make laws for their state or city Can ONLY make laws for their state or city Less powerful than the federal government Less powerful than the federal government Missouri Constitution Modeled after US constitution Modeled after US constitution 3 Branches: 3 Branches: Legislative Branch Legislative Branch Legislative Branch Legislative Branch Make laws and choose state symbols Make laws and choose state symbols Executive Branch Executive Branch Executive Branch Executive Branch Governor leads it like the President Governor leads it like the President Judicial Branch Judicial Branch Judicial Branch Judicial Branch Supreme Court - 7 Judges Supreme Court - 7 Judges

State Legislative Branch Senate 34 members elected to a 4 year term 34 members elected to a 4 year term Must be 30, a Missouri voter for 3 years, and live in their district for 1 year. Must be 30, a Missouri voter for 3 years, and live in their district for 1 year. Led by Lieutenant Governor or President Pro Tempore Led by Lieutenant Governor or President Pro Tempore House of Representatives 163 members elected to a 2 year term 163 members elected to a 2 year term Must be, a 24 Missouri voter for 2 years, and live in their district for 1 year. Must be, a 24 Missouri voter for 2 years, and live in their district for 1 year. Led by the Speaker of the House Led by the Speaker of the House Back

State Executive Branch Led by the Governor (Matt Blunt/Jay Nixon) Led by the Governor (Matt Blunt/Jay Nixon)Governor Must be 30, US citizen for 15 years, and a Missouri resident for 10. Can run for 2, 4-year terms Must be 30, US citizen for 15 years, and a Missouri resident for 10. Can run for 2, 4-year terms Responsibilities: Responsibilities: Choosing directors for agencies, appointing judges, and is in charge of the National Guard. Choosing directors for agencies, appointing judges, and is in charge of the National Guard. Lieutenant Governor (Peter Kinder) Lieutenant Governor (Peter Kinder) Qualifications are the same as Governor Qualifications are the same as Governor Responsibilities: Responsibilities: President of the Senate who can vote to break a tie and serves on boards President of the Senate who can vote to break a tie and serves on boards

State Executive Branch Cont… Secretary of State – in charge of elections, taking care of historic records Secretary of State – in charge of elections, taking care of historic records Treasurer – in charge of the state’s money Treasurer – in charge of the state’s money Auditor – in charge of making sure the state’s tax dollars are spent correctly Auditor – in charge of making sure the state’s tax dollars are spent correctly Attorney General – lawyer for the state Attorney General – lawyer for the state Back

State Judicial Branch 3 Courts: Circuit, Appeals, Supreme 3 Courts: Circuit, Appeals, Supreme All judges must be a Missouri judge and retire at age 70 All judges must be a Missouri judge and retire at age 70 CIRCUIT: (45) divided along county lines CIRCUIT: (45) divided along county lines Handles civil and criminal trials Handles civil and criminal trials APPEALS: (3) St. Louis, Kansas City, & Springfield APPEALS: (3) St. Louis, Kansas City, & Springfield Handles circuit court trials that have been appealed Handles circuit court trials that have been appealed Supreme: (1) Jefferson City Supreme: (1) Jefferson City Handles court of appeals trials that have been appealed or include the death penalty Handles court of appeals trials that have been appealed or include the death penalty 7 judges 7 judges Back

Local Governments Every city is part of a larger area called a COUNTY with their own government Every city is part of a larger area called a COUNTY with their own government In charge of hospitals and courts In charge of hospitals and courts Cities and towns have governments called MUNICIPAL governments Cities and towns have governments called MUNICIPAL governments Led by MAYORS Led by MAYORS Decide how land will be used and collect taxes Decide how land will be used and collect taxes

How a Bill Becomes a Law Citizens develop an idea for a bill Legislative Branch introduces bill Legislative Branch votes to approve bill Governor VETOS or SIGNS a bill If bill is VETOED, another vote can be taken. If more than 2/3 of the legislative branch approve it, the bill becomes a law. Click to see a movie of how a bill becomes a law! If bill is SIGNED, it becomes a LAW!! “I’m Just a Bill” Lyrics

Plan a Monument Project! The President of the United States has contacted the 4th grade teachers at Wren Hollow. He would like you to create a monument to be displayed in front of the White House. You need to decide how the job of each branch will be represented in your monument. Be creative! Think outside of the box. There is NO right or wrong solution as long as you include the following:

Monument : 30 Points 1. The legislative branch is represented in my monument.______/5 2. The executive branch is represented in my monument.______/5 3. The judicial branch is represented in my monument. ______/5 4. My monument is CREATIVE. ______/5 5. My monument is NEAT and COLORFUL. ______/5 6. I worked as a team with my partner. ______/5

Report : 30 Points 1. What is the legislative branch? ______/5 2. How is it represented? ______/5 3. What is the executive branch? ______/5 4. How is it represented? ______/5 5. What is the judicial branch? ______/5 6. How is it represented? ______/5

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