Revision

Answer the following questions: How can American federalism be defined? When was the American Constitution adopted? Which are exclusively national powers? What is the importance of the Tenth Amendment?

Vocabulary revision Translate the following phrases: Allocation of powers Concurrent powers To declare war Bicameral legislator

Allocation of powers – dioba ovlasti Concurrent powers – zajedničke (paralelne) ovlasti To declare war – objaviti rat Bicameral legislator – dvodomno zakonodavno tijelo

Complete the text: Constitutional, American, certain, weak, federal, national, specific, state Federalism and the federal system define the basic structure of ___________ government. There were many disagreements at the ___________ Convention. Many delegates feared a ____________ government that was too strong and many delegates feared that states' rights would merely continue the _________ form of government under the Articles. The Constitution created a ______________ system of government (federalism) as a compromise. Under federalism, power is shared and divided between national and ___________ governments. Each has ___________ powers unto themselves while they also share _____________ powers.

Answer key Federalism and the federal system define the basic structure of American government. There were many disagreements at the Constitutional Convention. Many delegates feared a national government that was too strong and many delegates feared that states' rights would merely continue the weak form of government under the Articles. The Constitution created a federal system of government (federalism) as a compromise. Under federalism, power is shared and divided between national and state governments. Each has specific powers unto themselves while they also share certain powers.

Complete the following statements: The first colony on the New continent was _______________, established in _____. The Virginia plan proposed a ________ state. The Declaration of Independence was mainly written by _________ in _______. Bill of Rights is the name for _________________.

Answer key The first colony on the New continent was Virginia, established in 1607. The Virginia plan proposed a unitary state. The Declaration of Independence was mainly written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776. Bill of Rights is the name for the first ten amendments to the US Constitution.

The American Presidency

The office of the President One of the most powerful offices of its kind in the world. The president, the Constitution says, must "take care that the laws be faithfully executed." To carry out this responsibility, the president presides over the executive branch of the federal government (about 4 million people, including 1 million active-duty military personnel)

Requirements Who can become the President? “No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States… shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States.” The Constitution, Article II, Section One

Inauguration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdhrulfXib4 Election every 4 years. Inauguration Day – taking the oath: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdhrulfXib4

Powers of the President Executive Legislative Judicial

Executive powers Head of the government The President nominates — and the Senate confirms — the heads of all executive departments and agencies, together with hundreds of other high-ranking federal officials. He is responsible for preparing the budget of the United States, although the Congress must approve it

Executive powers cont. Within the executive branch itself, the president has broad powers to manage national affairs and the workings of the federal government. The president can issue rules, regulations, and instructions called executive orders, which have the binding force of law upon federal agencies but do not require congressional approval.

Military powers Commander-in-chief of the armed forces In times of war or national emergency, the Congress may grant the president even broader powers to manage the national economy and protect the security of the United States.

Legislative powers The president can veto any bill passed by Congress and, unless two-thirds of the members of each house vote to override the veto, the bill does not become law. May propose legislation to Congress - in annual and special messages to Congress, the president may propose legislation he believes is necessary. May call Congress for special session

Judicial powers May appoint important public officials. Presidential nomination of federal judges, including members of the Supreme Court, is subject to confirmation by the Senate. Another significant power is that of granting a full or conditional pardon to anyone convicted of breaking a federal law — except in a case of impeachment.

Powers in foreign affairs Under the Constitution, the president is the federal official primarily responsible for the relations of the USA with foreign nations. The president appoints ambassadors, ministers, and consuls (subject to confirmation by the Senate) and receives foreign ambassadors and other public officials. With the secretary of state, the president manages all official contacts with foreign governments.

What can remove the President from office? Death Impeachment Inability (when Vice President takes over)

Grounds for impeachment Treason Bribery Other high crimes and misdemeanors Article II, Section Four

Who has been impeached? Andrew Johnson in 1868 Richard Nixon in 1974 (resigned from office due to the Watergate affair) Bill Clinton in 1998 None of them was convicted

Impeachment of A. Johnson 1868, the House of Representatives voted to impeach President Andrew Johnson for dismissing his Secretary of War Stanton against the order of the Tenure of Office Act which had passed in 1867. He became the first president to be impeached while in office. Upon impeachment, the Senate is required to vote to decide if a president should be removed from office. The Senate voted against removing Johnson by only one vote.

Impeachment of B. Clinton Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States, was impeached by the House of Representatives on two charges, one of perjury and one of obstruction of justice, on December 19, 1998. Two other impeachment articles, a second perjury charge and a charge of abuse of power, failed in the House. The charges arose from the Lewinsky scandal and the Paula Jones lawsuit. Clinton was acquitted by the Senate on February 12, 1999. With a two-thirds majority required for conviction (i.e., 67 senators), only 45 senators (out of 100) voted guilty on the perjury charge and 50 on the obstruction charge. Clinton was, thus, 17 votes shy of being removed from office on the latter charge

The process of impeachment The House of Representatives passes by vote Articles of Impeachment (an indictment) The Senate tries all impeachments Presiding officer is the Vice President If the President is impeached, presiding officer is Chief Justice

Thank you for your attention!