Week #1 Review: Important U.S.

Government & Constitution Concepts

Democratic Republic = Representative Democracy, a government of the people Federal Government= national government 3 Branches of Government = the three parts of government: people who make laws, people who make sure citizens follow laws, people who punish people who dont follow laws Legislature= the part of the government that makes laws, another name is Congress Bicameral Legislature= a legislature that has two groups (Senate & House of Representatives) Bill = suggested/proposed law

Separation of Powers = the three branches of government have different roles/responsibilities Checks and Balances = a system of control between the branches of government so that no one has more power than another Limited Powers = all constitutional powers not given to the national government belong to state governments

Legislative Branch (Congress) Who?

-Senate (senators)- 2 from each state, 100 total -House (representative)- depends on state population, 435 total

Executive Branch (Prez, VP & Secretaries)

-President (Barack Obama) -VP (Joe Biden) -cabinet (advisors) Ex. Defense (Leon Panetta) Ex. State (Hillary Clinton) Ex. Treasury (Tim Geithner)

Judicial Branch (Courts)

-Supreme Court (9 justices) -lower federal courts

Responsibilities

Propose and pass laws, including taxes

President: commander in chief, signs/vetoes bills, appoints cabinet members, treaties with foreign govts etc. Departments: administration of the federal govt

Supreme Court: tries cases involving Constitution, federal law, treaties, interstate cases, ambassadors/public ministers

Powers under checks and balances

Reject/confirm presidential appointment, override vetoes, impeach elected officials

Veto congressional bills

Can declare laws/actions unconstitutional

The 1st Amendment

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

1. Religion You can believe what you want, belong to any religion or no religion. 2. Speech You can voice your opinions using words, symbols or actions. 3. Press The government cannot censor information in newspapers, online news sources, TV news broadcasts, etc. 4. Assembly You can gather in a group. 5. Petition You can criticize the government, and you can complain about policies that affect you negatively and ask for change.
Source: http://www.1forall.us

An Evaluation of the U.S. Bill of Rights & the U.S. Constitution

Argument 1: The U.S. Bill of Rights is antiquated. It is NOT a good model for new democracies. Argument 2: The U.S. Bill of Rights is still relevant in the 21st century. It is NOT antiquated. It is still a good model for new democracies.

Homework
P.12-15 Addition exercises p.13-16