Social Studies Unit 5 - Lesson 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 (Fourth)

Two Constitutions

CA and US Constitution both begin with short preamble or introduction. Articles follow the preamble. Both give people right to freedom and to choose their representatives.

Executive Branch

Carries out the laws created by legislative branch, branch led by governor. Approves bills that become laws. (Ronald Reagan CA state governor in 1967, became president later)

Recall

If an elected person does a poor job in thier function, then voters can remove from office.

Function of Local Government

serve and protect the people they serve

superindendent

someone who is responsible for running all the schools in an area

jurisdiction

the area over which an authority has control

citizenship

the duties, rights, and responsibilities of individuals living in a state or country

executive branch

the part of government responsible for carrying out laws (ie: led by President of US)

judicial branch

the part of government responsible for deciding if laws have been broken (ie: Supreme Court - power over all other courts in the country. Made up of nine justices/judges)

legislative branch

the part of government responsible for making laws (ie: Congress)

State Governments

make laws and provide services for town and cities

Local Governments

make laws and provide services for towns and cities.

New US Government

American Colonist wanted to be free of Great Britian. They decided on a federal system which means power is shared between the states and the central government.

Federal Government Responsibility

Defending the US; Runs the military and meets with governments for other nations; Takes care of national parks; Watches over the nation's money

CA Constitution

Describes laws of our state. The articles of explain the rights of CA citizens.

US Constitution

Describes the responsibilities of the government. This includes defending our country, printing money, and making agreements with other nations.

checks and balances

Each branch has the power to set checks or limits on the powers of the other 2 branches. Maintains the balance of power, Examples: legislative can write and pass a bill, but governor can accept or reject it. If a bill (legislative) becomes law (accepted by governor) then the judicial (courts) can decide if the law is fair and fits our constitution.

Executive

Function: Approves and carries out laws led by Governor Elected by people, US citizen, lived in CA last 5 years, term 4 years, max 2 times

Judicial

Function: Interpret laws State Supreme Court: 7 judges, appointed by governor then reelected been CA Lawyer or judge last 10 years. Term= 12 years

Legislative

Function: writes laws State Assembly: 80 members elected, us citizen, 2 year term, max 3 times elected State Senate: 40 members,4 year term, max 2 time elected. Both: must be us citizen, lived in CA last 3 years

Judicial Branch

Judges make sure the laws agree with California Constitution, Includes all state courts in California.

Legislative Branch

Made of state senate and state assembly. Their function is to write and vote on bills that affect the lives of people in that state. Also votes to make amendments, resolutions or official statements

First Ten Amendments

Know as the Bill of Rights

Mayor

Leader of town or city, works city council.

Branches State Government

Legislative, executive, judicial (each has a function similar to Federal)

State Government Responsibiltiy

Responsible for guiding public education; Take care of public health and safety

Local Government Responsibility

Provide services to cities, towns and communities (ie: running police and fire department); Taking care of city parks and keeping city records.

rancheria

a small reservation

amendment

a change or addition

responsibility

a duty or something that must be done

tribal council

a form of local government that govern American Indian Land, reservation,

school board

a group of people who help manage the schools in an area and work with superindendent

city council

a group of people who make laws for city (elected) work with Mayor.

convention

a large meeting arranged for a special purpose

district

a part of a county, city, or state that is marked off for a special purpose

branch

a part of something

Function

a purpose

reservation

an area of land owned by American Indian groups (also means to or reserve something)

election

an event in which people vote to choose a person for an official position like president, governor, senator.

principle

an important belief

school district

another type of local government..could be a city, county or state that runs local schools and led by a superintendent,

Changes to the Constitution

changes or addition to the Constitution are called amendments

Constitution

describes the structure for the government and reflects the importnat beliefs of the people of the US

Federal Government

handles laws and services for the people of all the states

Vote

to express your choice for something or someone which creates a decision (someone or something wins and loses)