United States Citizenship Handbook

_______________________

Name

Period #____(Garrow - Social Studies)

“Principles of the United States Government” VocabularyDescribe (P.215) Picture or Cartoon

Popular Sovereignty

Limited Government

Federalism

Separation of Powers

Checks and Balances

Republicanism

The Constitution of the United StatesPreamble

(P.215 & 225)

What is the Preamble?

The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these three words?

What are the six goals of the Preamble?

Basic Rights of American Citizens(The rights of Americans fall into three broad categories. Name and describe each category.)

(P.222)

1.) The Right to be Protected from Unfair Government Actions2.) The Right to Equal Treatment Under the Law3.) The right to Enjoy Basic Freedoms

“Democratic Ideals” Vocabularyas referenced in the

Declaration of Independence & ConstitutionDirections: In the left column under the vocabulary word, define it. In the right hand column, record any references that you can find in the Declaration of Independence and/or Constitution to this ideal. An example is completed for you.

Definition Document Reference (Constitution and/or Dec. of Ind.)

Per capita

By or for each person

Per capita is demonstrated in the Constitution in the Preamble where it states, “We the People” (Preamble of the Constitution)

Justice

Equity

Definition Document Reference

(Constitution and/or Dec. of Ind.)

Pursuit of Happiness

Liberty

Diversity

Definition Document Reference (Constitution and/or Dec. of Ind.)

Common Good

Truth

Bill of RightsWhat is the Bill of Rights? (P.236)

Amendment What is Guaranteed in each of these amendments?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Amendment What did it do?

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

Finishing up the AmendmentsWhat is the process to amend the Constitution?

Constitution

What is the supreme law of the land?

Federal and State Powers (P.216)

National Government National and State Government State Government

Article 1(Legislative Branch- P.219)

Also known as… Where do they meet?

THE TITLE OF THESE TWO PEOPLE?

WHO IS THIS GROUP?

BRANCH

BRANCH

WHAT ARE THESE TWO BODIES?

The main power of the legislative branch is the power to…

House of Representatives

Total number of representatives:

Length of Service:

Qualifications:

Who do they represent?

Representation based on: (How are the representatives divided between states?)

Senate

Total number of representatives:

Length of Service:

Qualifications:

Who do they represent?

Representation based on: (How are the representatives divided between states?)

Roles and Powers of Congress

How a Bill Becomes a Law(Create a visual or describe the steps to how a bill becomes a law. - P.220)

LobbyistsWhat is a Lobbyist?

How they work with legislators?

Article 2(Executive Branch – P.220)

Where the head of this branch live?

The main power of the Executive Branch is the power to…

Length of Service:

Qualifications

Powers and Duties of the President

What is the role of the Cabinet and Vice President in the Executive Branch?

Article 3(The Judicial Branch – P.221)

What is the “rule of law”?

District CourtHow many District Courts are there?

What kind of cases do they hear?

Appeals Court

How many Appeals Courts are there?

What kind of cases do they hear?

Supreme Court

Meets in…

Number of Justices…

Who are they appointed by? Who are they approved by?

Length of Service…

Describe three tasks (powers) of the Supreme Court.

How did the Marbury v. Madison case change the Supreme Court? (explain in detail)

Checks and Balances(Textbook P.217)

Why did the Framers create this system of checks and balances?

Political PartiesDemocrats

(Position on these issues)

Education:

Republicans(Position on these issues)

Education:

Environment:

Health Care:

Budget/Economy:

Civil Rights:

Gun Control/ Crime:

Environment:

Health Care:

Budget/Economy:

Civil Rights:

Gun Control/ Crime:

Resources for this page:- http://www.ontheissues.org/Democratic_Party.htm- http://www.ontheissues.org/Republican_Party.htm

How the President is Elected?(The Electoral College)

Problems with the Electoral College

In which elections did a person win the popular vote but lose the election? Include the electoral numbers.

Rights of American Citizens (P.222)

Duties of American Citizens(P.223)

Responsibilities of American Citizens(P.223)

Key People to Know In Government

President: ____________________________________Duties: ________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Vice President:_________________________________Duties: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chief Justice:___________________________________Duties: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Speaker of the House:___________________________Duties: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Senate Majority Leader:_________________________Duties: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Washington State Senator:_______________________Duties: ______________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Washington State Senator: _______________________Duties:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Wash. State Representative: (10th Dist.)_____________Duties:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Washington State Governor:______________________Duties: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Call to ActionWhat are some ways that Americans can participate in democracy?