Three Branches of Government

what do you need to be president

1) born in the us; 2) 35 or older; 3) lived in us for 14 years

examples of checks and balances

1) legislature drafts bills - Executive can veto - judicial can decide if law is constitutional 2) executive appoint supreme court judges and legislature needs to approve 3) if executive branch vetoes - legislature can override 2/3; 4) executive can pick cabinet but legislature needs to approve them

how a bill becomes a law

1. written 2. discussed in committee + voted 3. discussed in House of Reps. and Senate + voted on in both 4. President signs it or vetoes it (which brings back to Congress, needs 2/3 vote to override veto)

constitution ratified

1788

how many senators are there

2 from each state; 100 total; to be a senator you must

first amendment

5 freedoms: speech, press, religion, assembly, petition

constitution

A detailed, written plan for government; setting out rules and laws on how government is organized and run

democracy

A government controlled by its citizens, either directly or through representatives.

government

A group of people who keep law and order and make laws.

delegate

A person appointed or elected to represent others; a representative

checks and balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power. One cannot be as more powerful than the other

Powers of Legislative Branch

Congress can set/collect taxes, borrow money, regulate trade, coin money. Congress must set up postal service and issue patents/copyrights. War must be authorized by congress. Write laws.

Who is Legislative Branch

Congress; The Senate and House of Representatives. It makes law - a bill

Powers of Executive Branch

Enforce laws; commander in chief of armed forces, authority to make treaties, appoint supreme court judges; appoint ambassadors, declare wars; veto bills from COngress

3 branches of government

Executive, Legislative, Judicial - structure of our government system. It is a system of checks and balances

Powers of Judicial Branch

Interprets the constitution and other laws; reviews lower courts decisions or make sure the are being constitutional

Who is Judicial Branch

Supreme Court (9 judges). It interprets the laws and settles disputes. They need to make sure the laws support the constitution

Who is Executive Branch

The President, Vice President and the Cabinet. It carries out laws made by the legislature branch.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution, containing a list of individual rights and liberties, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. The federal government cannot interfere with these rights and must protect.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

Articles of Confederation

This document, the nation's first constitution, was adopted by the Second Continental Congress in 1781 during the Revolution. The document was limited because states held most of the power, and Congress lacked the power to tax, regulate trade, or control coinage. It was replaced in 1788

preamble to constitution

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. key words - union, justice, liberty, tranquilty and defense. Expresses reasons why Constitution was written. Establishes that the power of government comes from the people. Justice - that people are treated fairly and have the same rights; that the people live peacefully and orderly; that the military is strong enough to protect us; provide for the common good (welfare) of everyone; liberty - citizen are free to have the same opportunities.

bill

a proposed idea that people hope will become a law

how many house of representatives

based on population; 435 representatives; 13 from NJ; to be congress person you mus

democracy vs dictatorship

democracy ruled by the people; dictatorship is ruled by one

federal, state and local laws

our government

cabinet

part of the executive branch - has 14 departments that help advise the presents examples transportation; education; defense

who takes over if President and VP can rule

the speaker of the house of Representatives