U.

S Government
Quarter 1 Final Project he.jiajia.6029
What is Government?
Government is a group of people governing a community or a political unit.
Government gives us protections, resolution of conflicts, healthy economy, and good
public services.
Beginning of American Government
And Revolution
People move to America because they are suppressed by British Parliament.
Although they found a new place to live, but British Empire still influence American
life, such as British passed a stamp act which ask colonist to pay tax to the king when
they buy things. American think British are violating with their right of trading, they
refused to use or buy English goods and forced the British to repeal the Stamp Act in
1766.
However, English still passing a lot of new taxes,
American got angry keeping repealing, English shoulders
killed a group angry Americans. As Americans angry
growing, they dumped English tea into ocean in 1773.
After that, English add many new laws, American called for a meeting which is
called Continental Congresses to solve problems and also call for a second Continental
Congress. However, British sent troops to destroy rebellions and weapons. The fight
between them started, American resolution officially began.
American Revolution Video
Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence is a document that 13
American colonies announced to fight with British, they
want to be independent and no longer to be a part of British
Empire.
The document talks about everyone is free and equal,
it also talks about peoples value and belief of living. It was
signed on July 1,1776
Click here for more information of the writing of Declaration of Independence:
http://www.fee.org/the_freeman/detail/john-locke-natural-rights-to-life-liberty-and-
property
Article of Confederation
After America declared independent,
they want to build their own new
government base on freedom and peace.
Article of Confederation is a plan of
government.
Creating & Ratifying the Constitution
Constitution is the rules of how government is governing.
After American is independent, the government can not working very well under
Article of Confederation, because states often could not agree to each other. So on
May 25, 1787, there were 55 people representing 12 different states came to a meeting
that try to create U.S Constitution and the rule of governing government. They met at
State House of Pennsylvania. The Constitution document was signed and submitted
to the states for ratification. It must be at least 9 states out 13 states had to give their
approval.
Click here for learn more information about Constitution delegates:
http://www.constitutionfacts.com/us-constitution-amendments/about-the-signers/
Contents and high images of Constitution document:
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html
Great Compromises
The Great Compromises also called Connecticut Compromise that two different
plans were bring up to create state representation. There was a huge fight about those
two plans, but by the end, it was result in each house should have equal representation.
Upper house represent by states and lower house represent by population.
American Political Parties
Political Parties are a group of people organized to influence government by
winning elections. People who has same thoughts of policy gather together to form a
political party.
there are two main type political parties in U.S
Democrat
Republican
Click here for comparison between Democrat and Republican:
http://www.diffen.com/difference/Democrat_vs_Republican
Election
There are two types of election, Primaries and General. Primaries which is to
select party presidential candidates. General election is final decision of president.
Election can cost so much money because candidates need money to help them
passing their goals and get their message across the country. Each candidates can get
those money from federal government or public donation.
If you want to vote, you have to be 18 years old, a U.S citizen or resident( live in
state 10 to 30 days), and register to vote.
Three Branches- Legislative Branch
There are three branches which are Legislative Branch, Executive Branch and
Judicial Branch.
Legislative Branch is to make the law, it is made of two houses, the House of
Representatives and the Senate.
House of Representatives Senator
The House of Representatives seats are depends
on population. Because every voter in the
country should be represented, so state with big
population has more representatives. It has 435
members.
Each state has two Senators, because each state
should be recognized equally. It has 100
members.
To become a House representative you must be
25 years old, 7 years of American citizen and
live in the state where you going to represent.
Every term is 2 years, everyone can serve terms
as much as they can.
To be senator you have to be 30 years old, 9
year of American Citizen and live in the state
where you going to represent. A term is 6 years,
everyone can serve terms as much as they can
Executive Branch
Executive is to carry out the law. It is lead by President.
To become a president, you must be born inside of U.S, at least
35 years old, and have been a resident of the US for at least 14 years.
President office is made of many different departments such as
office of controlling the money, handling military and policy etc.
President live in White House, he has close advisers which is
call cabinet.
President must be a good example American people, show
America's highest value, such as celebrate national holiday, greeting
visitors; President also need to decide to pass a law or not, choosing
leader of Cabinet, managing countrys business, ordering military,
make foreign policy and build good relationship with other country
Judicial Branch
Judicial Branch is to explain the law. It is created by Article III of the Constitution. It is
made of Supreme Court, Lower Court, Special Court and and court support
organizations.
The power that each court has is call the jurisdiction.
There are three types of law:
Civil Law- personal legal rights
Criminal Law - the crimes that against public
Constitutional Law- if a law is conflict with Constitution
There is no specific requirements for becoming a federal judge. But selecting a federal
judge consider a persons background, experiences, race, gender and political opinions
etc.
Quiz
1. What are the two main political parties of U.S Government?
A. Republican and Constitutional
B. Democrats and Republican
C. Democrats and Independent
D. Independent and Constitutional
2. What you must do if you want to vote?
A. Show your identification
B. Show that you can Speak English
C. Register
3. When did constitution get signed?
A. July 1, 1776
B. July 4, 1776
C. September 17, 1787