1. Unit 12

2. Sovereignty Supreme power or source of authority Supreme power or source of authority Basic principal of American government Basic principal of American government After Revolution, source of power went from king to people After Revolution, source of power went from king to people People are the source of authority here People are the source of authority here

3. Constitutionalism Another basic principal of American government Another basic principal of American government A written constitution describes the rights of the people and the framework of government A written constitution describes the rights of the people and the framework of government Limits the power of government Limits the power of government Constitution has been amended more than 25 times, basic structure still the same Constitution has been amended more than 25 times, basic structure still the same

4. Electorate Voters Voters Choose who will be a part of the government and who represents them Choose who will be a part of the government and who represents them Makes us a democratic form of government Makes us a democratic form of government

5. Separation of powers Another basic principal Another basic principal Division of responsibilities Division of responsibilities Three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial branches Three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial branches Limited government— no one part can deny rights Limited government— no one part can deny rights

6. Separation of Powers

7. “Five Freedoms” Basic American rights Basic American rights Listen in first amendment Listen in first amendment 1) freedom of religion 1) freedom of religion 2) freedom of speech 2) freedom of speech 3) freedom of press 3) freedom of press 4) freedom of assembly 4) freedom of assembly 5) freedom to petition for redress 5) freedom to petition for redress

8. Federal System Another principal of American government Another principal of American government A form of government in which nation and state government exercise authority over the same people and territory A form of government in which nation and state government exercise authority over the same people and territory National law takes precedence in case of dispute National law takes precedence in case of dispute Example: Georgians have to follow both Georgia and federal laws Example: Georgians have to follow both Georgia and federal laws

9. Executive Branch Federal: President and Vice President Federal: President and Vice President State: governor and lieutenant governor State: governor and lieutenant governor Governor is chief executive—elected by popular vote, can serve two terms of 4 yrs, must wait to run again Governor is chief executive—elected by popular vote, can serve two terms of 4 yrs, must wait to run again Heads state militia Heads state militia Other duties listed on pages 598-601 Other duties listed on pages 598-601

10. Bill Draft of a proposed law Draft of a proposed law

11. Legislative Branch Federal: Congress (House and Senate) Federal: Congress (House and Senate) State: Georgia Assembly State: Georgia Assembly Bicameral—made up of two houses Bicameral—made up of two houses Make laws for the state Make laws for the state Can veto state legislative bills Can veto state legislative bills

12. Committee Small working groups in legislative sessions Small working groups in legislative sessions Some are permanent, some are not Some are permanent, some are not A member of Georgia’s General Assembly can serve on several committees A member of Georgia’s General Assembly can serve on several committees Create and deal with bills Create and deal with bills

13. Judicial System (or judicial branch) Federal: Supreme court, court of appeals, and district courts. Interprets laws and Constitution Federal: Supreme court, court of appeals, and district courts. Interprets laws and Constitution State: state supreme court, superior court, state court. Interprets state laws and passes sentences State: state supreme court, superior court, state court. Interprets state laws and passes sentences Function is to protect citizens from government and provide due process of law Function is to protect citizens from government and provide due process of law Protects citizens from each other by settling disputes that cannot be resolved privately Protects citizens from each other by settling disputes that cannot be resolved privately

14. Supreme Court Highest ranking court on both federal and state level Highest ranking court on both federal and state level 7 justices on state level, one chief justice elected by members 7 justices on state level, one chief justice elected by members Judges serve 6 year terms, elected by popular vote Judges serve 6 year terms, elected by popular vote Appellate court—only reviews cases from lower courts Appellate court—only reviews cases from lower courts Final authority on state level Final authority on state level

15. Court of Appeals Second highest ranking court Second highest ranking court 9 judges serve, one serves as chief judge elected by members 9 judges serve, one serves as chief judge elected by members Appellate court Appellate court

16. Trial Courts Below appellate courts (supreme and appeals) Below appellate courts (supreme and appeals) Hear original cases Hear original cases Example: disputes between private parties, criminal cases Example: disputes between private parties, criminal cases Includes state superior courts, state courts, probate courts, juvenile courts, etc Includes state superior courts, state courts, probate courts, juvenile courts, etc

17. Jurisdiction Each court case has jurisdiction Each court case has jurisdiction Jurisdiction is range of action over which court has influence or control Jurisdiction is range of action over which court has influence or control Example: Juvenile courts deal with minors (under 17) Example: Juvenile courts deal with minors (under 17)

18. Checks and Balances National and state constitutions have system of checks and balances National and state constitutions have system of checks and balances Prevents one branch from having too much power Prevents one branch from having too much power State: citizens elect most officials, they are responsible to electorate State: citizens elect most officials, they are responsible to electorate Example: judicial branch can rule laws passed unconstitutional, president can veto bills passed by Congress, Congress can impeach president Example: judicial branch can rule laws passed unconstitutional, president can veto bills passed by Congress, Congress can impeach president

19. General Elections Secretary of State handles elections, makes sure candidate meet requirements and deals with getting election carried out Secretary of State handles elections, makes sure candidate meet requirements and deals with getting election carried out General elections are held in November every even numbered year General elections are held in November every even numbered year Major federal offices and state offices run at this time (president) Major federal offices and state offices run at this time (president)

20. Capital Georgia’s capital is Atlanta Georgia’s capital is Atlanta Where the seat of government is located Where the seat of government is located Each January, Assembly meets here Each January, Assembly meets here

21. Capitol Gold domed building in Atlanta where major officials work Gold domed building in Atlanta where major officials work Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Senators and representatives work here Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Senators and representatives work here Gold on dome was mined from Dahlonega Gold on dome was mined from Dahlonega State of “Miss Freedom” on top of building State of “Miss Freedom” on top of building