What is the purpose of a government? Where does a governments authority come from?

 is a form of government that allows common people to participate by VOTING  can be either a DIRECT or INDIRECT Democracy  Direct Democracy- people actively participate by voting on laws themselves  Indirect Democracy- people elect representatives to vote for them *also called Representative Democracy  Which kind of democracy does America have?

 1st document that outlined the structure and power of American Government, written in 1777  Congress is only branch of federal government, NO President & NO Supreme Court  limits the power of the federal government, most power held by State Governments  Weakness of federal government was main problem with A. of C.

 In 1786 Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays leads a group of angry farmers in armed rebellion against Massachussets State Government.  Farmers angry over high taxes, massive debt, and losing their farms  showed the weakness of the federal government to protect the country from rebellion

 Written to replace the Articles of Confederation and to strengthen the federal government  By 1788 Constitution goes into effect  is the supreme law of the land  is the blueprint for American Government  is what protects citizens rights and freedoms

 Constitution outlines the structure of Government into 3 branches, Executive, Legislative, & Judicial and defines their power  Created a system of Checks & Balances to limit the power of each branch  Increases power of federal government while letting states keep some power as well  Constitution is the basis for all laws in the country and also the source for all the rights and freedoms given to American Citizens  Contains the BILL OF RIGHTS (first 10 amendments to Constitution)  Amendment-changes made to the Constitution and laws

1) Freedom of speech, religion, press, & right to protest 2) Right to bear arms (own guns) and form a militia 3) This prohibits the government from forcing citizens to house and feed soldiers in their home during peacetime. 4) Citizens are protected from unwarranted search and seizure, and warrants must be specific and issued upon probable cause. 5) Citizens are protected from “double jeopardy” (being tried twice for the same crime) and cannot be forced to incriminate themselves.

6) Everyone has the right to a fair and unbiased trial by jury as well as the right to a lawyer. 7) In civil cases, the right to a trial by jury is still preserved; the case may not be reexamined in another court. 8) Cruel and unusual punishment may not be used upon a citizen, and bails may not be unreasonably high. 9) This amendment states that citizens hold rights that are not stated in the Constitution. 10) If a right wasn’t given to the federal government or prohibited to the States in the Constitution, it is held by either the States or the people. Why is the Bill of Rights important to citizens?