January 6, 2014

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

The Constitution says how the government works. It creates the Presidency. It creates the Congress. It creates the Supreme Court. A group of men met to write the Constitution. We call these men The Framers. THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION

A written plan for state government The state constitution says that the purpose of government is to help the people. The NC constitution sets up the three braches of our state government. The Declaration of rights lists the rights of NC citizens NC has had three constitutions. NORTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTION

Senate House of Representatives The Legislature Branch President Vice President Cabinet members The Executive Branch Supreme court Other federal courts The Judicial Branch THE UNITED STATES BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT

Make the laws for our country 2 per state for a total of 100 Lead by the Vice President Called Senators U.S. SENATE

Make the laws for our country 435 members- the more people living in the state the more reps. they have. Lead by the Speaker of the House Called Congressperson or Representative U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

President’s Job Leads our country by meeting with other leaders Leads our military Signs or vetoes laws Prepares a national budget Appoints people to important jobs Vice President’s Job Leads the Senate Becomes President if something happens to the President Helps the President with ceremonial duties THE U.S. PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT

A plan for spending money Money is raised from taxes State budgets pay for repairing roads, state parks, running some hospitals, caring for the poor and elderly, running public schools, colleges and universities. Federal budgets pay for military, interstate roads, Social Security, help for farmers, running federal courts, foreign aid, BUDGET

Refuse to approve a bill Stops the bill from becoming a law at that time The congress can override a veto. VETO

The highest court in the U.S. Nine Justices (judges) Appointed by the President and stay as long as they want THE U.S. SUPREME COURT

U.S. Court of Appeals U.S. Court of Special Jurisdiction U.S. District Courts U.S. Bankruptcy Courts OTHER FEDERAL (U.S.) COURTS

NORTH CAROLINA GOVERNMENT

Senate House of Representatives The Legislative Branch Governor Council of the State The Executive Branch Superior Court District Court Appeals Court State Supreme Court Judicial Branch THE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT IN NORTH CAROLINA

Senate Write laws Pass laws Approve budgets Has 50 members Elected for two years House of Representatives Write laws Pass laws Approve budgets Has 120 members Elected for two years NC GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Governor Elected for 4 years Prepares state budget Signs and vetoes state laws NC EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Lieutenant Governor Runs the senate Takes over for the governor if needed State Treasurer In charge of the state’s money Attorney General Helps carry out state laws NC EXECUTIVE BRANCH CONTINUED

Jury trial Decide if a person is guilty or not guilty Handle over 3 million cases a year Court of appeals A person who lost a trail asks for the decision to be overturned May change ruling May ask lower trail to re-trail May agree with first decision State Supreme Court Seven Judges serve for 8 years Decide if the ruling conflicts with the state constitution NC JUDICIAL BRANCH

County governments NC has 100 counties. County Seat- Center of government for a county County Commissioners – direct county activities, such as taxes, budgets, elected by the people Sheriff-makes sure people obey the law Registrar of Deeds- Keeps the county records School board-manage the local schools and decides how schools are paid for LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Municipal Government Town or city government Provided police and fire fighters Provide clean water and garbage pick up Plan for city parks, traffic lights, and plant trees Two types- 1. mayor-council 2. council-manager LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CONTINUED

Federal government-another name for the U.S. government Pledge of Allegiance-a promise to be loyal to the United States Republic – a form of government where the people elect people to run the country for them Cabinet-a group of officials who help the president Impeach-accuse an official of doing something illegal ADDITIONAL VOCABULARY

Andrew Jackson James K. Polk Andrew Johnson PRESIDENTS WHO CAME FROM NC