SOCIAL STUDIES CIVICS GOVERNMENT GED SUPPORT CIVICS GOVERNMENT

SOCIAL STUDIES CIVICS & GOVERNMENT GED SUPPORT

CIVICS & GOVERNMENT Gonzales, K

Lesson 1: Historic Basis for U. S. System • The US government Representative democracy – Citizens vote to elect representatives Democracy “rule of the people” VS Authoritarian Rule dictatorship Gonzales, K • • Other Forms of Government: Monarchy “rule of 1 person” Aristocracy “rule of elite class” Theocracy “rule of church” Anarchy “rule of mob”

Lesson 1: Historic Basis for U. S. System • Important to development of democracy: – Signing of the Magna Carta: England 1215 • This limited the king’s rule & subjecting his decisions to review • Development of the legal document habeas corpus – Made it illegal for government to hold or imprison individuals without granting them trials As a review of the King’s decisions Parliament Democracy A government formed by a party holding A majority of seats in the parliament

Lesson 1: Historic Basis for U. S. System • Age of Enlightenment (17 & 18 th century) the spread of democracy • These countries adopted Bill of Rights • The Era philosophies reason and individual rights and encouraged government by the people • “The Enlightenment” philosophers = Adam Smith, John Locke, Voltaire

Lesson 2: Constitutional Government • Foundation of national government = the Constitution of the U. S. Republic form of government in which citizens elect the people who will govern them Different from…monarchy or dictatorship

Lesson 2: Constitutional Government The Constitution breakdown: Preamble introduction; particular goals for the nation We the People… Articles (7); provide 3 branches of government, establish the rights of the state, set forth procedures for ratifying & amending the constitution Amendments proposed by congress if supported by 2/3 majority in both house & senate

Lesson 2: Constitutional Government • The 1 st 10 Amendments passed 1791 – Became the Bill of Rights – Rights of the citizens 13 th = outlawed slavery 1865 15 th = rights of citizens based on race, color, etc. 1870 19 th = women right to vote 1920 24 th = banned poll taxes 1964 26 th = voting age to 18 1971

Lesson 3: Levels and Branches of Government • Layers of Government: National Federal State Local • Works across all 50 states Have their own constitutions Federalism basic principle of the US constitution ; power shared between the national & state levels of government • This protects the rights of individual states, but national government enforce certain rights

Lesson 3: Levels and Branches of Government 3 Branches Judicial Branch Executive Branch President and various advisors (cabinet) & government departments -enforces the nation’s laws & provides national leadership, goals, & policies Legislative Branch Consists of 2 Houses of Congress Senate House of Representatives -responsible for making laws that all citizens, organizations, & businesses must follow Balance between them! Made up of the federal court system including Supreme Court -decides disputes related to laws

Lesson 3: Levels and Branches of Government ***US citizens vote for the president and the Congress!!! • Citizens who elected them, AKA constituents are represented by the congress Years in politics President only 2 terms, 8 years Representatives 2 years Senators 6 years Members of Congress many years Federal judges appointed by President & confirmed by Senate *stay in this position for life *they can make impartial decisions based on the constitution & the laws of the US

Lesson 3: Levels and Branches of Government ** to not give too much power to the government, the constitution limits the power of each branch of federal government; they have separate powers • Checks & Balance this is where each branch has the power to act in ways that affect the other branches Example: President can Veto (reject) laws by congress, but congress can override a presidential veto by repassing the law with a 2/3 s majority • Judges can review laws and declare them unconstitutional

Lesson 4: The Electoral System 2 Political Parties Republicans Democrats They each represent different ideas about the role of the government Gonzales, K

Lesson 4: The Electoral System Election Season Breakdown Their views Platform Delegates from each state select the party’s candidate Primary Candidates within the party compete with each other for the party’s nomination Convention General Election Only 1 from each party Gonzales, K

Lesson 4: The Electoral System General Election citizens vote and electors from each state cast their votes in the Electoral College -candidate who wins the greatest # of votes in the electoral college wins the presidency (270)

Lesson 4: The Electoral System • Smaller Parties 3 rd party candidates – Typically bring great and interesting ideas, but are unable to gain the support – Example- Green Party, Jill Stein • Independent voters • Opinion polls • “Swing” a group of voters can swing the election one way • Debates opposing candidates participate in • PACs (Political Action Committees)

Lesson 5: The Role of the Citizen • Citizenship a special relationship between a person and a nation – Rights and responsibilities – Uphold the laws. Taxes. Vote. National service. • Immigrants come to the US from other countries – Can become a citizen through a legal process = Naturalization • A right of the citizen is to be able to participate in our nation’s political life • Jury each of us is guaranteed the right to a fair and speedy trial if accused of a crime