US Government and Politics

Historical Context US Declared Independence from England in HOWEVER The First government of the US established the “Articles of Confederation” which gave almost no power to a central government  The most important power it withheld was the ability to tax. The federal gov't could not levy taxes, only states' governments could do that. It was not until 1787 that the Constitution was signed.

Checks and Balances Established Three branches of government, intended so that none would have more power than the other  The constitution made the federal government stronger than the Articles of Confederation, but people were still very leery of the government having too much power The three branches of the government are: Legislative, Judicial, and Executive.

Checks and Balances Established Legislative: MAKES the laws Executive: EXECUTES the laws Judicial: INTERPRETS the laws.

Legislative Branch Article 1 Senators and representatives elected by State (or district) Has to do with making and passing laws. Creates 2 branches of Congress (bicameral) as a compromise.  Senate: 2 representatives from each state  House of Representatives: Based on state's population **NOTE Slaves were counted as 3/5 of a person

Legislative Branch Even within the Legislative Branch there are checks and balances.  Senate ratifies treaties and approves presidential appointments  House initiates revenue-raising bills  House impeaches president, Senate votes to remove him or her

Legislative Branch Makes laws (bills) Levies and collects taxes Prints currency Declares war Passes the budget

Legislative branch How it balances the other:  Congress can remove the president,  Senate confirms the president's nominees to the Supreme Court

Executive Branch Article 2 President elected by the electoral college  President and VP elected  Cabinet members nominated by Pres, confirmed by US Senate  Cabinet advises the President, meets weekly. Includes the heads of 15 executive departments (e.g.,Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Treasury, Homeland Security, Energy)

Executive branch How it balances the others  President can veto laws from Congress  President appoints justices of the Supreme Court

Judicial Branch Justices appointed by President for life (or until retirement) (but Congress established lower courts—i.e., courts of appeals, district courts, etc.)

Judicial Branch How it balances the others  Justices can overturn unconstitutional laws

Bill of Rights Article 5 of the Constitution provides for amendments, the first 10 were put there as soon as the Constitution was established to ensure the liberties of the people of the US. freedoms not explicitly indicated in the main body of the Constitution  freedom of religion, speech, a free press, and free assembly; the right to bear arms; freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, and freedom from warrants issued without probable cause; indictment by a grand jury for any capital or "infamous crime"; guarantee of a speedy, public trial with an impartial jury; and prohibition of double jeopardy. In addition,reserves all powers not specifically granted to the federal government to the people or the States.

US Elections Most states use primaries to choose candidates for each party (only Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota and Maine use caucuses)  Primaries start a year before the election. They are being held right now. After the candidates are chosen, the general election happens. People in the states vote for president, but the electoral college will actually vote for the President  Usually whatever is the majority, all the people in the electoral college representing that state will vote for the same candidate