GOVERNMENT NOW & THEN United States and Roman Government ( A Comparative Study of the 2 Republics) The United States Tripartite Federal Government Structure Has Its Roots In The Roman Republic

THE ROMAN REPUBLIC REPUBLIC - Form of government in which the people elect their leaders –Is a form of representative democracy Tripartite Government – A government structure that has three parts. (prefix tri = 3) The Patricians had to change the government in order to meet the growing demands of the Plebeians.

ROMAN EXECUTIVE BRANCH Two most powerful executives were Consuls Ran the city or Commanded military Controlled Money Had Veto Power –Say no to ideas of the other –Helped limit each others power All Consuls were elected to one year term (Unlimited Reelections)

U.S. EXECUTIVE BRANCH President (1) & Vice President (1) Commander of Military Veto Power Elected to 4 Year Term –(Serve 2 Terms) Must be 35 years old or older and be a citizen of the United States. Link To White House Home Page

ROMAN LEGISLATIVE BRANCH (2 Houses) Upper House - SENATE More powerful of the two houses –Was very powerful part of Roman government 300 Patrician Men –Later wealthy plebeians Makes Laws Elected For Life Must be 18 or older

ROMAN LEGISLATIVE BRANCH (2 Houses) Lower House – ASSEMBLY Made up of both Patricians & Plebeians Primary duty was to elect the magistrates that ran city Less powerful than Senate Could only suggest laws to Senate Elected to 1 Year Term –Unlimited Reelection

U.S. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH (2 Houses) Upper House - SENATESENATE 100 Members Proposes Laws / Controls Money Elected to 6 year term –Unlimited Reelection Must be at least 30, Citizen of U.S. for 9 years, resident of the state you represent.

U.S. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH (2 Houses) Lower House - House of Representatives 435 Members Proposes Laws / Controls Money Has Equal Power with Senate Elected to 2 year term –Unlimited Reelection Must be at least 25, Citizen of U.S. for 7 years, resident of the state you represent. LINK U.S. HOUSE OF REPS.

BOTH OF OUR LEGISLATIVE BODIES TOGETHER = CONGRESS

ROMAN JUDICIAL BRANCH Tribunes Elected by Plebeians Could veto laws / decisions of all other officials Job was to protect rights of the Plebeians To keep them from abusing power, served a one year term

U.S. JUDICIAL BRANCH Supreme Court & The Federal Court System 9 Justices –Appointed for life by Pres. –Must be approved by Senate Protects citizens rights set forth in the Constitution Makes sure laws/policies set forth in Constitution are carried out Link To Supreme Court Home Page

U.S. & ROMAN GOVERNMENT 3 BRANCHES

Checks & Balances Methods to make sure one part of the government does not become more powerful than another. Our government’s strength today is a similar system of checks & balances to keep power shared throughout the tripartite system.

Examples of Checks & Balances For Romans: Veto power of Consuls Veto power of Tribunes Laws proposed by Senate had to be approved by magistrates & assemblies For United States: President can veto bill from Congress Congress can override a veto of President Judicial branch can declare law unconstitutional Senate must approve the President’s appointments to his cabinet & to the court

Now See If You Can List Some Of The Similarities / Differences Between Our Government & The Romans Government Complete On The Diagram Given To You By Mr. Duvall! Use Your Notes! Use Your Brain!