Post on 29-Dec-2015
American American GovernmentGovernment
The Balance The Balance
of of
Freedom and OrderFreedom and Order
REPRESENTATIVE
DEMOCRACY REPUBLIC
We elect leaders to We elect leaders to
speak on our behalfspeak on our behalf
PLURALISM PLURALISM DDiivveerrssiittyy
We ARE a nation of Immigrants!
People are People are allowedallowed and and encouragedencouraged to be different to be different
NATURAL RIGHTSInalienable Rights
Rights for all human at birthJohn Locke (1600s) :
Life, Liberty, and Property you are born with these
rights
1948 UN passed the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights which officially extended natural
rights to all
SOCIAL CONTRACT
The government will protect
the rights of the people and the people will obey
the government’s laws.
Contract/AgreementContract/Agreement that must bethat must be
JUSTJUST ANDAND MUTUALMUTUAL
Declaration of Independence
Written by Thomas Jefferson on July 3, Written by Thomas Jefferson on July 3, 1776 1776 The USA formally
expressed their status as a free and independent state, no longer colonies of Great Britain
Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation
Original explanation Original explanation of the government of the government and lawand law before the before the ConstitutionConstitution was was
adoptedadoptedSupreme law fromSupreme law from
1781-17891781-1789
CONSTITUTION:CONSTITUTION:
Fundamental law and Fundamental law and structure of the US structure of the US
government. government. Framed 1787, Framed 1787, ratified 1789m ratified 1789m
amended variously amended variously since.since.
***Treason only crime ***Treason only crime dealt with in originaldealt with in original!!
BILL OF RIGHTS
First 10 amendments to the Constitution, added in 1791 to protect certain
essential rights to citizens.
FEDERALIST PAPERS
Series of essays written by
supporters of ratification of the Constitution to
convince others of its worth.
6 Goals of Constitution
To form a more perfect unionTo form a more perfect union
Establish justiceEstablish justice
Ensure domestic tranquilityEnsure domestic tranquility
Provide for the Provide for the common defensecommon defense
Promote the Promote the general welfaregeneral welfare
Secure the Secure the blessings of blessings of
libertyliberty
State Representatives…State Representatives… Serve 2 year terms Qualifications???
a. at least 25 years old b. a US citizen for 7 yearsc. reside in state elected from
435 members Representation based on state population
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/VC/visitor_info/our_house/who.htm
serve 6 year terms Qualifications???:
a. at least 30 years old b. US citizen for 9 yrs c. must live in state elected from
100 members
State Senate
Can you name the 2 PA State Senators?
Arlen Specter and Robert Casey
Vice President
CONGRESSIONAL POWERS
Makes LawsEstablish budget
Declare warImpeach
Approve presidential appointments
Ratify Treaties
Executive Branch of Government
Electoral College (NOT Popular Vote)
Qualifications??? a. 35 years old b. Natural born citizen c. live in the US for 14
consecutive years
The Cabinet Can you name any members ofThe currentCabinet???
Who assists the president in the decision making process?
The Vice President
Richard B. Cheney
Department ofHomeland Security
Secretary Michael Chertoff
Department of State Secretary Condoleezza
Rice
Department of Defense Secretary Robert M.
Gates
Department of Commerce
Secretary Carlos
Gutierrez
Power & Responsibilities of the President
Chief Executive--enforce laws Commander in Chief of Military Controls US Foreign Policy Indirect legislative powers
(suggestions…influence)
Indirect Judicial Powers (Appoints Justices)
Chief of State
What qualifications doYOU think a future
president should have?
9 members of the Supreme Court9 members of the Supreme Court Currently Appointed Judges:Currently Appointed Judges:
CHIEF JUSTICECHIEF JUSTICE -- John Roberts -- John Roberts John Paul StevensJohn Paul Stevens Samuel AlitoSamuel Alito Stephen BreyerStephen Breyer Ruth Bader GinsburgRuth Bader Ginsburg Anthony KennedyAnthony Kennedy Antonin ScaliaAntonin Scalia David Hackett SouterDavid Hackett Souter Clarence ThomasClarence Thomas
Establish Uniformity in the law (Between States)
Address a relevant issue (Constitutionality of laws and their implementation)
Judicial Review: 1803 Allows the Supreme Court to
declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional or illegal
Habeas Corpus:“Bring the body”one CAN NOT be held in jail WITHOUT a BODY of EVIDENCE presented against them
Do you know of any famous Supreme Court decisions?
Serve life terms to remove them from
campaigning (Constitution over popularity)
When does a president assume more control of the government and the system of checks and balances becomes suspended?
War or State of Disaster
CIVIL LIBERTIES/RIGHTS
Rights or privileges guaranteed to United States Citizens under the
Constitution
11stst Amendment - Freedom of… Amendment - Freedom of…
SPEECHIncludes expression
and lifestyleRELIGIONProtects minority
religionsPRESSAn informed public
is better able to make decisions
Protects againstunjust arrestillegal searches or seizuresexcessive bail
Police need a warrant unless there is a probable cause
*** Different rules in SCHOOL!!!
4th Amendment
Due Process “Innocent until proven guilty”
Protects the rights of the ACCUSED
No Self-IncriminationRight to an AttorneyRight to a speedy, public trial
5th and 6th Amendments Establish Due Process
Protects against excessive use of powerNo Cruel or Unusual punishment
No torture!
8th Amendment
What is cruel or unusual punishment???
CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES1.1. TAXESTAXES::
LOCALLOCAL property taxes property taxes Police, sewage, community events, etc. Police, sewage, community events, etc. 85% funds education 85% funds education
STATE-STATE- communication/transportation systems, communication/transportation systems,
state parks/reserves/police, recreation,higher state parks/reserves/police, recreation,higher education (state schools), prison systemeducation (state schools), prison system
FEDERALFEDERAL-Defense: FBI, CIA, Armed Forces-Defense: FBI, CIA, Armed Forces Welfare, salaries of gov’t employees, national Welfare, salaries of gov’t employees, national
parksparks
2. POLITICAL PARTICIPATION & VOTING
Apathy is the enemy of democracy
Why do people choose not to vote?
3. ABIDE BY LAWS: What laws do we break? What laws do we view as flexible?
4. MILITARY SERVICE:
Draft
OR
Volunteer
OR
Conscientious Objector
5. Volunteer: Freedom from heavy government
civic virtue=participation and support
Virtuous Institutions Religious Institutions Volunteer firemen Red Cross
ACTIVISMACTIVISM METHODS:
Speeches Editorial letters Songs Demonstrations
Marches and Boycotts Terrorist attack Revolution Mutiny Riot Strike/Work Struggle
Famous American ActivistsFamous American Activists:: Martin Luther King, Jr. Eleanor Roosevelt Woody Guthrie Harriet Tubman Upton Sinclair Dorothea Lange Thomas Nast John Muir Cesar Chavez Mary “Mother” Jones John Scopes Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B.
Anthony