1. United States Government
Constitution
& Branches

2. Forms of World Government
Democracy: rule by the majority Monarchy: rule by a single person, usually royalty Oligarchy: rule by a few (the elite) Dictatorship: rule by one person

3. U.S. Constitution Basic structure of our government
Founded more than 200 years ago (Oldest working Constitution in the world)
Separated Powers between Federal and State governments
Established a “Republic”: power held by voting citizens through their elected representatives

4. James Madison Became known as the “Father of the Constitution”
Many of his ideas were included in the new government

5. Ratification
New constitution must be ratified or approved by a 2/3 majority of the states (9 states) to replace the Articles of Confederation
Many states didn’t feel that it addressed the basic rights of citizens, so the Bill of Rights was added.
This ratification process took 3 years to complete

6. Bill of Rights First 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution
Protects the citizens
States the government can not take away our basic freedoms

7. Main Freedoms Outlined in the First Amendment & Their Importance
The 1st Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, press, speech, assembly and the right to petition.
These rights are important because they form the most basic rights of all citizens.

8. The 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Amendments address colonial grievances.
Second- right to bear arms
Third- no quartering of soldiers in peacetime
Fourth- no unreasonable searches and seizures/search warrants

9. The Rights of the Accused- 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th Amendments
5th Amendment- due process of law, indictment, no person forced to testify at his own trial, no double jeopardy
6th Amendment- quick trial by jury, nature and cause accusation, confronted with the witness against him, obtaining witnesses in his favor, right to an attorney

10. The Rights of the Accused:
7th Amendment- jury can decide civil cases
8th Amendment- no excessive bail, fines, or cruel and unusual punishment

11. 9th & 10 Amendment
9th amendment- people have other rights not named in the Bill of Rights
10th amendment- a great deal of power will remain with the states

12. Branches of
Government
Legislative:
makes laws.
Made up of
Congress &
Gov. Agencies
Executive: makes
sure laws are
obeyed.
Judicial:
Interprets the laws
Court System:
Highest is the
Supreme Court

13. Balance of Power All branches work together but use a systems of
checks and balances that keep any one branch
from becoming too powerful
Power is spread out evenly & each branch has a
different job to do.
Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch

15. Balance of Powers between Federal & State Governments
Delegated Powers
(Federal
Government)
Coining Money
Regulating Interstate &
International Trade
Providing for
National Defense
Declare War
Conducting Diplomacy
Reserved Powers
(State)
Conducting Elections
Regulating Trade
within the State
Establishing Local
Governments
Regulating Education
Concurrent Powers
(Powers Shared)
Taxing
Borrowing Money
Enforcing Laws
Providing for Public
Welfare

16. Executive Branch Members:
President: Leader of the country and commands the military.
Vice President: President of the Senate and becomes President if the President can no longer do the job.
Departments: Department heads advise the President on issues and help carry out policies.

17. The President
The President is the head of the executive branch and plays a large role in making America’s laws.
His job is to approve the laws that Congress creates.
When the Senate and the House approve a bill, they send it to the President.
If he agrees with the law, he signs it and the law goes into effect.

18. Veto
If the President does not like a bill, he can refuse to sign it. When he does this, it is called a veto.
Congress can override a veto by a two-thirds of the Members of Congress

19. Powers of the President
Despite all of his power, the President cannot write bills. He can propose a bill, but a member of Congress must submit it for him.
In addition, the President has several duties.
He serves as the American Head of State, meaning that he meets with the leaders of other countries and can make treaties with them. However, the Senate must approve any treaty before it becomes official.

20. Powers of President
Also, the President is the official head of the U.S. military.
He can authorize the use of troops overseas without declaring war.
To officially declare war, though, he must get the approval of the Congress.

21. Requirements for President & Vice-President
Must be at least 35 years old.
Must be a natural-born U.S. citizen
Lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years.
When elected, the President serves a term of four years. The most one President can serve is two terms, for a total of eight years. (22nd Amendment)

22. Who is the only President to be elected to office FOUR times?????
Do you know???
Who is the only President to be elected to office FOUR times?????
FDR

23. Legislative Branch

24. Parts of Congress
The U.S. Congress is made up of two parts, the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Its primary duty is to write, debate, and pass bills, which are then passed on to the President for approval.

25. Parts of Congress Other Powers of Congress
Makes laws controlling trade between states and between the United States and other countries.
Makes laws about taxes and borrowing money.
Approves the making of money.
Can declare war on other countries.

26. Congress
Each Congress lasts for six years. When two years are over, new Members of Congress are elected (1/3 elected every 2 years)
Congress meets once every year and usually last from January 3rd to July 31st, but in special cases, it can last longer.
The way that states are represented in Congress is different
Senate is equal
House is based on population of the state

27. House of Representatives
Representatives must:
Be at least 25 years old.
Be a U.S. citizen for the past 7 years.
Live in the state they represent.

28. Special Jobs of the House
The House has special jobs that only it
can do. It can:
Start laws that make people pay taxes.
Decide if a government official should be put on trial before the Senate if she or he commits a crime against the country. (impeachment)

29. U.S. Senate Senators must: Be at least 30 years old.
Be a U.S. citizen for the past 9 years.
Live in the state they represent.

30. Special Jobs of the Senate
The Senate has special jobs that only it can do.
It can:
Say yes or no to any treaties the president makes.
Say yes or no to any people the president recommends for jobs, such as cabinet officers, Supreme Court justices, and ambassadors.
Can hold a trial for a government official who does something very wrong.

31. Supreme Court
Hear only a small percentage of cases brought before them each year
The Supreme Court is made up of nine Justices. One of these is the Chief Justice.
They are appointed by the President and must be approved by the Senate.
Justices have their jobs for life, unless they resign, retire, or are impeached.

32. Justice Requirements
There are no official qualifications for Justices, but all have been trained in the law.
Many Justices served as members of Congress, governors, or members of the President's Cabinet.
One president, William Howard Taft, was later appointed Chief Justice.

33. Supreme Court
The Supreme Court, part of the judicial branch, was established in the Constitution as the highest court in the nation.
The Supreme Court’s most important responsibility is to decide cases that raise questions of constitutional interpretation.

34. Supreme Court
The Court decides if a law or government action violates the Constitution. This is known as judicial review.
It enables the Court to overrule both federal and state laws when they conflict with its interpretation of the Constitution.
Since the Supreme Court stands as the ultimate authority in constitutional interpretation, its decisions can be changed only by a constitutional amendment.

35. Do you know??? Who the Supreme Court Chief Justice is today?
John G. Roberts Jr. (2006)

36. Becoming a U.S. Citizen Birth Born on American soil
Born to American parents
Naturalization
Process for legal immigrants who apply to become a U.S. citizen

37. Qualifications for Citizenship
Applicants must have entered the United States legally
They must be of good moral character
They must declare their support of the principles of the American Government
They must prove they can read, write, and speak English (if over 50, and lived here for more than 20 years are exempt)
Show basic knowledge of American History and government

38. Naturalization Process
Be at 18 years old
Lived in the U.S. for the 5 previous years as a lawfully admitted resident and live in the state applied in for the previous 3 months
Investigation and preliminary hearing
Asked questions about moral character
Witnesses also asked questions about their character & integrity

39. New Citizens
Receive
Certificate of Naturalization (declares them to be a U.S. citizen)
A letter from the president
A short history of the Pledge of Allegiance
Booklet containing important documents in U.S. history

40. Only the Federal Government Can:
Can both grant citizenship and take it away.
State governments can deny convicted criminals some of the privileges of citizenship, such as voting but has no power to deny citizenship itself.

41. Political Parties
Political Party: a group of people who share similar ideas about government
Raise money to help their candidates get elected
Political parties did not exist when the Constitution was written
Believed politicians would do what was best for their party and not for the people

42. Democratic Party
Works to support the needs of the working-class America
Believes in protecting the individual rights of people
More liberal platforms have put them behind causes such as
Civil rights
Protection of labor unions
Champions of the environment

43. Republican Party (GOP)
GOP: Grand Ole Party
More conservative
Promote the growth of business & industries
Lower taxes
Reduce the size of federal government

44. Two-Party System Existed for more than 150 years in U.S.
Power divided into two main groups
Democratic
Republican
Every 4 years creates an overall platform, or set of ideals, they hope to achieve

45. Third-Party Political Groups
A few examples are:
Constitution Party
Green Party
Libertarian Party

46. Interest Groups
Interest groups: share common political interests and try to influence government policies
Try to get legislators and government officials to support their groups
Examples are:
Education
Business practices
War
Animal rights
Environment

47. State Government in Arkansas
Set up like the Federal Government
Current State Constitution established in 1874 (Our 5th)
More than 83 amendments

48. State Executive Branch
Headed by the Governor
Elected every 4 years
Term Limit: 2 terms
Duties include
Creating state budget
Signing bill into law or vetoing them
Appointing people to fill state positions

49. Lieutenant Governor Second in charge
Not elected as a running mate of the governor
Duties include
Presiding over the State Senate
Filling in when the governor is out of state
Stepping in for Governor when current governor is removed or dies while in office

50. State Judicial Branch Court systems and judges
Settles arguments and decides what the laws mean
Arkansas Supreme Court: highest court in Arkansas
Arkansas Court of Appeals: hears court cases being appealed
Appeal: right to have case reviewed by a higher court

51. State Legislative Branch
Called the Arkansas General Assembly
60 day session each year
Senate (Upper House): 35 Senators
House of Representatives (Lower House): 100 Representatives

52. State Legislative Branch
Duties include:
Write and pass laws
Approve the state’s tax structure
Funding for the budget
Regulate state agencies

53. Lobbyists
Lawyers, doctors, insurance agents, or other individuals who work for large corporations or interests groups
Meet with legislators to give & receive info about proposed bills and to persuade them to support the interests of their clients

54. Tax Money Pay for many of the services people use
Schools, clinics, Medicare, Medicaid etc.
Programs and services that protect our lands, waterways, native animal species, and Arkansas citizens

55. Citizen Involvement
Citizens should be involved in their community and government to:
Strengthen their nation
Help their neighbors

56. Rights Set by the U.S. Constitution
Bill of Rights
Habeas Corpus (Right to go before a judge or court before being sent to prison
Freedom from slavery
Freedom from oppressive governments

57. Obligations of U.S. Citizens
Respect that opinions of others
Pay taxes
Vote
Tolerant of others
Serve on juries
Support law & order
Give evidence in court
Assisting in preventing crimes and detection of criminals
Abide by decisions of the majority
Respect rights of the minority
Respect public and private property
Live peaceably
Meet financial obligations
Respect the flag and serve the nation when required

58. Voting
Every American citizen 18 years of older has the right to vote unless they are in jail for committing a crime
EVERY VOTE COUNTS– if you choose not to vote then don’t complain!