1. GHSGT Review
Government

2. SSCG2: The student will analyze the natural rights philosophy and the nature of government expressed in the Declaration of Independence.

3. Compare and contrast the Declaration of Independence and the Social Contract Theory

4. John Locke believed that people were born with certain “natural rights,” which included life, liberty, and property
He also advocated Social Contract Theory, which states that there is an implied contract between government and citizens
Thomas Jefferson asserted in the Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal” and that men are born with certain “inalienable rights,” which include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
The Declaration of Independence echoes the theories of John Locke in asserting natural rights, that government obtains its power from the consent of the people, and that citizens have the right to resist and/or replace it with a new system

5. Evaluate the Declaration of Independence as a persuasive argument

6. The Declaration of Independence makes these arguments:
“All men are created equal”
Unalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
Powers of government from consent of the governed
Grievances against the king of England, George III
When revolution should occur
When government becomes “destructive”
Government should not be changed for “light or transient causes”
After a long period of “abuses and usurpations”

7. SSCG3: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the United States Constitution

8. Explain the main ideas in debate over ratification; include those in The Federalist

9. Federalists - favored a strong central government and supported the Constitution Anti-Federalists - feared a strong central government Believed the federal government could only do what the Constitution specifically said The Federalist Papers - Essays written to persuade ratification of the Constitution by easing fears Supported by George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and John Adams The Anti-Federalists agreed to ratify the Constitution if a Bill of Rights was added

10. Explain the fundamental principles upon which of the United States Constitution is based; include the rule of law, popular sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism

11. Rule of law – the U.S. is a society governed by set laws Everyone must obey the nation’s laws Popular Sovereignty – the belief that the government is empowered by the will of its people Eventually led to demand that all citizens be given the right to vote Separation of Powers – power is divided by three branches: legislative, judicial, and executive Checks and balances – allows each branch to check the powers of the other two Federalism – power is divided between different levels of government In the U.S. the national and state governments share power

12. SSCG4: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and powers of the national government

13. Describe the structure and powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

14. Legislative - Congress – makes laws
BICAMERAL – Two Houses
House of Representatives
Representation based on population
At least one per state
Special power to impeach, initiate tax bills
Presiding officer – Speaker of the House
Senate
Representation is equal – 2 per state
Special power to approve President’s treaties and appointments (2/3 majority required)
Serves as jury during impeachment trials
Presiding officer – Vice-President of the U.S.

15. Executive – President – enforces laws 1
Executive – President – enforces laws 1. 4-year terms, limited to 2 terms 2. Elected by Electoral College 3. Powers and Duties (Article II, Sections 2& 3) a. Commander-in-chief of armed forces b. Can make treaties c. Can appointment Supreme Court justices, Cabinet 4. The Vice-President and Cabinet are part of the executive branch

16. 1. Highest court in the nation 2. Court of final appeal
Judicial – Supreme Court - interprets laws
1. Highest court in the nation
2. Court of final appeal
3. Congress establishes inferior courts

17. Analyze the relationship between the three branches in a system of checks and balances and separation of powers.

18. (and other Federal Courts)
Can:
Propose legislation
Veto legislation
Call special legislative sessions
Recommend appointments
Negotiate foreign treaties
Executive Branch
The President
Enforces the nation’s laws
Heads the armed forces
Represents the nation in foreign affairs
Can:
Appoint federal judges
Grant pardons and reprieves to federal offenders
Legislative Branch
Congress
Passes taxes
Makes new laws
Can:
Pass legislation
Override a presidential veto
Confirm executive appointments
Ratify treaties
Appropriate money
Impeach and remove a President
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court
(and other Federal Courts)
Decides whether or not laws are constitutional
Can:
Declare executives actions and laws unconstitutional
Can:
Create lower federal courts and judgeships
Impeach judges
Propose constitutional amendments to override judicial decisions
Approve appointments of federal judges
Can:
Declare legislation unconstitutional

19. SSCG5: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the federal system of government described in the United States Constitution

20. Explain the relationship of state government to the national government

21. Under our federal system of government, power is divided between states and the national government
According to the 10th Amendment, any powers not specifically granted to the national government are reserved for the states
No state government may pass a law that violates the U.S. Constitution

22. Define the difference between enumerated and implied powers

23. Enumerated Powers - are explicitly granted by the Constitution Implied Powers - are powers not specifically mentioned in the Constitution

24. Describe the extent to which power is shared.

25. The Supremacy Clause states that the Constitution is the “supreme law of the land” and takes precedence over any state or local laws.

26. Identify powers denied to state and national governments.

27. Any powers expressly denied the national government are also denied to the states and no state government may pass a law that violates the U.S. Constitution.

28. Analyze the supremacy clause found in Article VI and the role of the U
Analyze the supremacy clause found in Article VI and the role of the U.S. Constitution as the “supreme law of the land.”

29. Article 6: Constitution is the supreme law of the nation.
- No federal, state, or local law can
conflict with the Constitution

30. SSCG6: The student will demonstrate knowledge of civil liberties and civil rights

31. Examine the Bill of Rights with emphasis on First Amendment freedoms

32. The Bill of Rights consists of the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution
The 1st Amendment guarantees the following for citizens:
Freedom of speech
Freedom of the press
Freedom to petition the government
Freedom to assemble
Freedom of religion
Separation of church and state

33. Analyze due process law expressed in the 5th and 14th Amendments

34. The 5th Amendment ensures that no person shall be imprisoned or deprived of his or her property without due process
Due process prevents government abuse and ensures citizens charged with a crime are not denied their rights during judicial hearings
The 14th Amendment makes it illegal for any state government to pass laws denying liberties guaranteed under the Bill of Rights

35. Explain how government seeks to maintain the balance between individual liberties and the public interest.

36. Individual liberties are the personal freedoms every citizens enjoys under the Constitution
Public interest refers to those things which citizens have a common interest: public safety, national security, a healthy environment, protection from dangerous products in the market place, etc.
At times, protecting public interest can infringe on individual liberties
For instance, following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the U.S. government passed the PATRIOT Act, which grants government officials greater freedom to monitor phone calls, s, and other forms of communication
Many appreciate such a law because it protects the public
Others, say such laws go too far because they invade citizens’ privacy and violate individual liberties

37. Explain every citizen’s right to be treated equally under the law.

38. Today, the Constitution has been amended so that, at least in theory, every U.S. citizen is given equal protection under the law regardless of skin color, gender, age, wealth, etc.

39. SSCG7: The student will describe how thoughtful and effective participation in civic life is characterized by obeying the law, paying taxes, serving on a jury, participating in the political process, performing public service, registering for military duty, being informed about current issues, and respecting different opinions

40. These civic duties include:
U.S. citizens must fulfill a number of civic responsibilities in order for U.S. society to function
These civic duties include:
Obeying laws
Paying taxes
Serving jury duty
Performing public service
Registering for the draft (required for 18-year-old males)
Political participation
Staying well-informed

41. SSCG8: The student will demonstrate knowledge of local, state, and national elections

42. Describe the organization, role, and constituencies of political parties

43. The U.S. Constitution says nothing about political parties
Despite pleas from George Washington, political parties have become an important part of U.S. policies
Political parties are organizations that promote political beliefs and sponsor candidates
The U.S. operates on a two-party system
These two parties are the Democrats and Republicans

44. Political parties serve the following functions:
(Political parties continued)
Political parties serve the following functions:
They nominate candidates for office
Coordinate the actions of government officials
Establish party platforms
Each party has it general constituency, which is the people who make up and are represented by the party
Democrats are identified as more liberal
Republicans are generally more conservative

45. Describe the nomination and election process

46. Local , state, and federal officials are voted into office by means of a general election
To decide on a single nominee, primary elections are held to choose between candidates within the same party
In presidential elections, the winner is not directly chosen by the people, but by the Electoral College
In a general election, whichever presidential candidate wins the most votes in a particular state is awarded ALL of that state’s votes in the Electoral College
Georgia currently has 15 electoral votes

47. Examine campaign funding and spending

49. SSCG9: The student will explain the differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate, with emphasis on terms of office, powers, organization, leadership, and representatives of each house

50. U.S. Congress House of Representatives U.S. Senate Representation
By population of state
2 per state
Length of terms
2 Years
6 Years
Leadership
Led by Speaker of the House
Led by Vice President and president pro tempore

51. SSCG10: The student will describe the legislative process including the roles played by committees and leadership

52. Explain the steps in the legislative process

53. Becomes law NO NO NO NO Yes Yes Yes
Introduce in Either House or Senate as a Bill
Referred to Committee
Debated in floor of House or Senate and voted on
Goes to other legislative body (House or Senate)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes NO NO NO
Goes to President NO
Kills Bill
2/3 of each body (House and Senate) needed to pass over President’s veto
Yes
Yes
Becomes law

54. Explain the function of various leadership positions within the legislature.

55. The top post in the House of Representatives is the Speaker of the House
The Vice President presides over the Senate, but he/she only votes if his/her vote is needed to break a tie
When the Vice President is not present, the president pro tempore takes his/her place
The two major parties with the Senate and House of Representatives have leaders
The majority leader is the elected leader of the majority party
Conversely, the minority leader leads the minority party

56. SSCG12: The student will analyze the various roles played by the President of the United States; include Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, chief of state, foreign policy leader, and party leader

57. Duties and powers of the President:
Chief Executive – the nation’s recognized leader and head of the executive branch. Ultimately responsible for enforcing the nation’s laws
Commander-in-chief – the top military commander
Foreign policy leader – plays a major roles in deciding how the U.S. will deal will foreign countries and international situations. He/she is responsible for negotiating treaties and agreements with other nations. The president is the nation’s chief of state and it foremost representative
Appoints pubic officials – including heads of federal departments and federal judges
Party Leader – the president acts as the head of his/her political party

58. SSCG14: The student will explain the impeachment process and its usage for elected officials

59. Explain the impeachment process as defined in the U.S. Constitution

60. The president may be impeached (charged with wrongdoing while in office) by the House of Representatives if suspected of treason, bribery, or “other high crimes and misdemeanors.”
If this occurs, the president stands trial in the Senate
If two-thirds of the Senate finds him/her guilty, then he/she is removed from office
Only two presidents have been impeached: Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton. Neither was found guilty

61. SSCG15: The student will explain the functions of the departments and agencies of the federal bureaucracy

62. Explain the functions of the Cabinet

63. Members of the President's Cabinet act as his official advisory group and head executive departments The President appoints members of his cabinet and the Senate must confirm them. Here is a list of the 14 executive departments
Department of Agriculture
Department of Commerce
Department of Defense
Department of Education
Department of Energy
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Department of the Interior
Department of Justice
Department of Labor
Department of State
Department of Transportation
Department of the Treasury
Department of Veterans' Affairs

64. SSCG16: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the operation of the federal judiciary

65. Explain the jurisdiction of the federal courts and the state courts

66. U.S. Supreme Court
U.S Court of Appeals
State Supreme Court
U.S. District Courts
Appellate Courts
Superior Courts
Lower Courts

67. Examine how John Marshall established the Supreme Court as an independent coequal branch of government through his opinions in Marbury v. Madison

68. Power of Judicial Review (Marbury v. Madison)
Article 5: Amending the Constitution
Two-thirds of both house of Congress may propose
Two-third of states may call for national convention to propose (never used)
Requires three-quarters of states to ratify (officially approve) before it becomes a permanent part of the U.S. Constitution

69. Describe how the Supreme Court decides cases

70. The Supreme Court Chooses which cases it will head
If a case is refused, the decision of the lower court will stand
If the Supreme Court accepts a case:
Both sides will present written briefs (legal arguments)
Supreme Court Justices will apply the Constitution when making their decision
After heading all arguments, the justices will vote
There are 9 justices, so 5 votes are needed for a majority

71. SSCG20: The student will describe the tools used to carry out United States foreign policy (diplomacy; economic, military and humanitarian aid; treaties; sanctions and military intervention)

72. Treaties - formal international agreements between nations
Foreign policy refers to the United States’ relations with other nations and how it handles international situations
The president is predominantly responsible for determining the U.S.’ foreign policy
Diplomacy - the process of nations coming together to find peaceful solutions
The U.S. offers economic, humanitarian, and military aid to countries that are less developed or hurting as a result of a national disaster
Treaties - formal international agreements between nations
Sanctions - restrictions or policies placed on a country that may be violating international agreements
Sanctions placed on North Korea for pursuing the development of nuclear weapons
Military intervention is the most drastic measure for dealing with international conflicts
The U.S. has been involved in Iraq and now Afghanistan and Pakistan fighting the war on terror