Our Nation’s Our Nation’s GovernmentGovernment

Page 294-313Page 294-313

VocabularyVocabulary Democracy Democracy - a government run by the people- a government run by the people Citizen Citizen -- a member of a country by birth or law a member of a country by birth or law

(18 to vote)(18 to vote) Constitution Constitution - our main laws- our main laws Bill Of Rights Bill Of Rights - first 10 amendments (changes to - first 10 amendments (changes to

the Constitution)the Constitution) Freedom of speech, religion, pressFreedom of speech, religion, press

Jury Jury -- group of citizens in court who decide if the group of citizens in court who decide if the person is guilty or innocentperson is guilty or innocent

Checks and Balances Checks and Balances - no one branch of - no one branch of government can become more powerful than the government can become more powerful than the others. others. Each branch has the power to check, or stop, Each branch has the power to check, or stop,

the work of another branch.the work of another branch. Veto Veto -- reject reject

THREE BRANCHES OF THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENTGOVERNMENT

US GOVERNMENT RULED BY

CONSTITUTION

LEGISLATIVE EXECUTIVE JUDICIAL

Legislative Branch: Legislative Branch: Powers and ResponsibilitiesPowers and Responsibilities

Makes the lawsMakes the laws Also known as CongressAlso known as Congress Led by Senate and House of Led by Senate and House of

Representatives. (Elected by citizens) Representatives. (Elected by citizens) Every state has two senators. Every state has two senators. The Representatives are determined by The Representatives are determined by

the states’ populations.the states’ populations.Back

Executive Branch: Executive Branch: Powers and ResponsibilitiesPowers and Responsibilities

Carries out the lawsCarries out the laws Led by the President Led by the President Presidents are Presidents are

elected to four-year elected to four-year term and may only term and may only serve two terms.serve two terms.

President is in charge President is in charge of all military of all military

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Judicial Branch: Judicial Branch: Powers and ResponsibilitiesPowers and Responsibilities

Makes sure the Makes sure the laws are followedlaws are followed

Led by the Supreme Led by the Supreme Court Justices Court Justices

Decides if new laws Decides if new laws passed agree with passed agree with the Constitutionthe Constitution

Supreme Court Supreme Court Judges elected for Judges elected for lifelife

REVIEWREVIEW Name the three branches of the Name the three branches of the

government. government. What is the main function of each What is the main function of each

branch?branch? What do they all have in common?What do they all have in common? How does the system of checks and How does the system of checks and

balances work?balances work?

State GovernmentsState Governments Can ONLY make laws for their state or Can ONLY make laws for their state or

citycity Less powerful than the federal Less powerful than the federal

governmentgovernment

Missouri ConstitutionMissouri Constitution Modeled after US constitution Modeled after US constitution 3 Branches:3 Branches: Legislative BranchLegislative Branch

Make laws and choose state symbolsMake laws and choose state symbols Executive BranchExecutive Branch

Governor leads it like the PresidentGovernor leads it like the President Judicial BranchJudicial Branch

Supreme Court - 7 JudgesSupreme Court - 7 Judges

State Legislative BranchState Legislative BranchSenateSenate

34 members 34 members elected to a 4 elected to a 4 year termyear term

Must be 30, a Must be 30, a Missouri voter for Missouri voter for 3 years, and live 3 years, and live in their district for in their district for 1 year.1 year.

Led by Lieutenant Led by Lieutenant Governor or Governor or President Pro President Pro TemporeTempore

House of House of Representatives Representatives

163 members 163 members elected to a 2 year elected to a 2 year termterm

Must be, a 24 Must be, a 24 Missouri voter for 2 Missouri voter for 2 years, and live in years, and live in their district for 1 their district for 1 year.year.

Led by the Speaker Led by the Speaker of the Houseof the House Back

State Executive BranchState Executive Branch Led by the Governor (Matt Blunt/Jay Nixon)Led by the Governor (Matt Blunt/Jay Nixon) Must be 30, US citizen for 15 years, and a Must be 30, US citizen for 15 years, and a

Missouri resident for 10. Can run for 2, 4-year Missouri resident for 10. Can run for 2, 4-year termsterms

Responsibilities: Responsibilities: Choosing directors for agencies, appointing judges, Choosing directors for agencies, appointing judges,

and is in charge of the National Guard.and is in charge of the National Guard. Lieutenant Governor (Peter Kinder)Lieutenant Governor (Peter Kinder) Qualifications are the same as GovernorQualifications are the same as Governor Responsibilities: Responsibilities:

President of the Senate who can vote to break a tie President of the Senate who can vote to break a tie and serves on boardsand serves on boards

State Executive Branch Cont…State Executive Branch Cont…

Secretary of State – in charge of Secretary of State – in charge of elections, taking care of historic elections, taking care of historic recordsrecords

Treasurer – in charge of the state’s Treasurer – in charge of the state’s money money

Auditor – in charge of making sure the Auditor – in charge of making sure the state’s tax dollars are spent correctlystate’s tax dollars are spent correctly

Attorney General – lawyer for the stateAttorney General – lawyer for the state

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State Judicial BranchState Judicial Branch 3 Courts: Circuit, Appeals, Supreme3 Courts: Circuit, Appeals, Supreme All judges must be a Missouri judge and retire All judges must be a Missouri judge and retire

at age 70at age 70 CIRCUIT: (45) divided along county lines CIRCUIT: (45) divided along county lines

Handles civil and criminal trialsHandles civil and criminal trials APPEALS: (3) St. Louis, Kansas City, & APPEALS: (3) St. Louis, Kansas City, &

SpringfieldSpringfield Handles circuit court trials that have been Handles circuit court trials that have been

appealedappealed Supreme: (1) Jefferson City Supreme: (1) Jefferson City

Handles court of appeals trials that have been Handles court of appeals trials that have been appealed or include the death penaltyappealed or include the death penalty

7 judges7 judgesBack

Local GovernmentsLocal Governments

Every city is part of a larger area called Every city is part of a larger area called a COUNTY with their own governmenta COUNTY with their own government

In charge of hospitals and courtsIn charge of hospitals and courts

Cities and towns have governments Cities and towns have governments called MUNICIPAL governmentscalled MUNICIPAL governments Led by MAYORS Led by MAYORS Decide how land will be used and collect Decide how land will be used and collect

taxestaxes

How a Bill Becomes a LawHow a Bill Becomes a LawCitizens develop an idea for a bill

Legislative Branch introduces bill

Legislative Branch votes to approve bill

Governor VETOS or SIGNS a bill

If bill is VETOED, another vote can be taken. If more than 2/3 of the legislative branch approve it, the bill

becomes a law.

Click to see a movieof how a bill becomesa law!

If bill is SIGNED, it becomes a LAW!!

“I’m Just a Bill” Lyrics

Plan a Monument Project!Plan a Monument Project!

The President of the United States has The President of the United States has contacted the 4th grade teachers at contacted the 4th grade teachers at Wren Hollow. He would like you to Wren Hollow. He would like you to

create a monument to be displayed in create a monument to be displayed in front of the White House. You need to front of the White House. You need to decide how the job of each branch will decide how the job of each branch will

be represented in your monument. be represented in your monument. Be creative! Think outside of the box. Be creative! Think outside of the box.

There is NO right or wrong solution There is NO right or wrong solution as long as you include the following:as long as you include the following:

Monument : 30 PointsMonument : 30 Points

1. The legislative branch is represented 1. The legislative branch is represented in my monument.in my monument. ______/5______/5

2. The executive branch is represented 2. The executive branch is represented in my monument.in my monument. ______/5______/5

3. The judicial branch is represented in 3. The judicial branch is represented in my monument. my monument. ______/5______/5

4. My monument is CREATIVE.4. My monument is CREATIVE. ______/5 ______/5

5. My monument is NEAT and 5. My monument is NEAT and COLORFUL.COLORFUL. ______/5 ______/5

6. I worked as a team with my partner.6. I worked as a team with my partner.______/5______/5

Report : 30 PointsReport : 30 Points

1. What is the legislative branch?1. What is the legislative branch? ______/5 ______/5

2. How is it represented?2. How is it represented? ______/5 ______/5

3. What is the executive branch?3. What is the executive branch? ______/5 ______/5

4. How is it represented?4. How is it represented? ______/5 ______/5

5. What is the judicial branch?5. What is the judicial branch? ______/5 ______/5

6. How is it represented?6. How is it represented? ______/5 ______/5

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