1. GHSGT PREPARATION
GOVERNMENT
AND CIVICS

2. CONTENT DESCRIPTION Government/Civics (18% of the test)
Assesses the philosophical foundations of the United States government and how the structure and functions of government developed (local, state, and national) and the relationship between the federal government, the states and individual citizens.

3. The Declaration of Independence
Based on social contract theories of British Political Philosopher--John Locke ( )
A government’s power comes from the consent of the people. (a social contract)
-Jefferson declared that people the right to abolish an oppressive government and establish a new one.
All people are born free and equal, with natural rights to life, liberty, and property.
-Jefferson changed the last of these to pursuit of happiness.

4. Foundational Principles of the Constitution
Rule of law (Written law restricts the government’s power)
Federalism (balance of local, state, and national government)
Popular sovereignty (the government serves the people)
Separation of powers (prevents the
concentration and abuse of power)
Checks and balances (Allows
branches of government to
restrain each others powers)

5. Ratification of the Constitution
Debate centered on the need for a strong central government versus state rights and individual rights
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay argued for a stronger central government in The Federalist Papers—they were concerned that regional factions might split up the country.

6. The Legislative Branch
Article I of the Constitution describes the powers, roles, and responsibilities of the legislative branch
Law-making powers of Congress (Senate and House of Representatives)
Law-making process (how a bill becomes a law)
Other responsibilities of government: budget, federal appointments, etc.
Describe the system of checks and balances by citing the checks and balances involved in the passing of a bill (e.g., presidential review and judicial review).

7. How a Bill Becomes a Law

8. Legislative Branch-Congress
Membership of the House of Representatives
1. Each state represented proportional to their
population
total members
3. Representatives elected
every 2 years
Membership of the Senate
1. Each State elects two representatives
total members
3. Senators elected for 6 year terms

9. Congressional Committees
Two basic types of Committees
1. authorizing (establish policies)
2. appropriations (funding)
Standing Committees (permanent)
-19 in House, 17 in Senate
- further divided into subcommittees (175 total)
Select Committees (special issues or investigations)
Joint Committees and Conference Committees
-House and Senate Committees working together

10. Congressional Leadership
House
Speaker of the House
House Majority Leader
House Majority Whip
House Minority Leader
House Minority Whip
Senate
President= Vice-President (votes only as tie-breaker)
President pro tempore
Senate Majority Leader
Senate Minority Leader

11. Powers of Congress expressed powers (Written in Constitution)
examples: Making Laws, FUNDING, Regulating Trade, Declaring War, Impeachment
Article I Section 8—known as the Elastic Clause
-gives congress power to pass laws “necessary and proper” for doing its job.
Thus, Congress has Implied Powers.
(not expressly written in the Constitution)

12. Checks and Balances Legislative Branch
Powers
Passes bills into law
Over-ride Presidential veto by 2/3 vote
Approval of Cabinet positions (Senate)
“power of the Purse”
Checks on Powers
President’s power to veto laws passed by Congress
Supreme Court’s power to rule laws unconstitutional

13. The Executive Branch
Article II gives power of Enforcement and Implementation of federal law to the Executive Branch which is led by the President of the United States who is the Chief executive and chief agenda setter
Military power is under the President
-he is the commander in chief of the armed forces
Diplomatic powers –negotiates agreements with other nations in the forms of treaties or executive agreements
- he is representative of the nation, chief of state, and foreign policy leader
The President is the party leader—the head of his/her political party

14. Checks and Balances Executive Branch
Powers
Approves or vetoes laws
Carries out laws
Appoints federal judges and officials
Negotiates treaties
Checks on Powers
Congress can override veto by 2/3 vote
Congress has power to approve spending
Senate has power to approve appointments
Senate approves treaties
Congress can impeach

15. Impeachment Process
Any person in the executive or judicial branch—including the President--can be removed from office by the legislature using the Impeachment Process—a two step process
The 1st step involves impeachment—or indictment (charges passed in the House of Representatives by a simple majority)
The 2nd step involves a trial in the Senate—which requires a two thirds majority to remove a person from office
Example: President Clinton was
impeached by the House but not
convicted in the Senate trial.

16. The Cabinet
Secretary of State – State Department (Relations with Foreign Countries)
Attorney General – Justice Department
(Chief Prosecutor for the Government)
Secretary of Defense – In charge of all armed forces including: Army, Navy,
Air force, Marines, National Guard
(New Department) Homeland Security
-combines several agencies such as FBI, CIA, and Immigration and Naturalization

17. Presidential Election Process
Candidate announces candidacy
Presidential primaries in each state to determine delegates to party convention
Party conventions elect President and Vice-Presidential nominees
General Election Campaign between major party candidates
General Election –each state’s popular vote is converted to a winner take all electoral vote
Electoral College votes based on electoral vote totals

18. The Judicial Branch
Article III establishes the Supreme Court --Main role is Interpretation of the law
-Judicial Review (Interpreting the Constitution)
Federal court system (three levels)
Supreme Court (1- 9 Justices)
Circuit Court of Appeals (13 Circuits)
US District Courts ( to 4 in each state)

19. Checks and Balances Judicial Branch
Powers
Interprets the meaning of Constitution and laws
Rules on constitutionality of laws passed by congress and actions of the Executive Branch
Checks on Powers
Congress and States have the power to amend the Constitution
Senate has authority to refuse appointments to the federal courts
Congress can impeach a federal judge

20. Powers of the Federal Government
State Governments
Powers of the Federal Government
Powers Shared by
Federal and
State

21. Responsibilities of Citizenship
participation in the community
respect for the property and views of others
paying taxes
obeying the law
voting
serving on a jury
registering for military
duty
keeping informed on
current issues

22. Citizens Rights - The Bill of Rights
1. Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, petition
2. Right to bear arms
3. No quartering of troups without permission
4. No search and seizure without a warrant
5. Rights of the accused to remain silent
6. Right to a speedy trial
7. Right to a jury trial in civil cases
8. Rights to reasonable bail, fines and punishments
9. Powers reserved to the people
10. Powers reserved to the states

23. Other Key Amendments
14th-Equal protection under the law for all persons born in the United States
15th-Gave African American males voting rights
17th –Direct election of Senators
19th –Gave women voting rights
24th –Abolished the poll tax
26th –Extended voting rights to 18 year olds

24. Political Parties Democratic Party (established in 1828)
-promote strong central government that support the rights of the poor and minorities
- more taxes for wealthy
Republican Party (established in 1854)
- support smaller central government with more state and local control
- less taxes for wealthy and businesses